Fitness and workout have come a long way in terms of techniques and training equipment. There are now tons of different types of fitness out there too.
Running and weightlifting are no longer the only base people have to work out, be fit, and get healthy. Although calisthenics has a slight shade of retro to it but truthfully, it is a great way to tone and get muscles.
It doesn’t have to be your main source of fitness but it can be added into your rotation or become an alternative way to work out if you’re the type to bounce around from cardio to weights and other things.
So, what are the basics of calisthenics and how do you do it? We’ll discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about what calisthenics is.
What is Calisthenics?
Calisthenics is a form of fitness that focuses on resistance training by using your own body weight against you. The main goal of calisthenics is to improve flexibility, movement, coordination, and balance.
Altogether, it is supposed to help you move better and lift or pick things up with better tenacity. It has its advantages for anyone who lifts weights regularly and wants to get better.
People who move large objects as work would also benefit from adding calisthenics to their workout regime.
What Are The Benefits of Calisthenics?
All types of fitness keep you healthy and active. But because calisthenics is focused on resistance training, it has a ton of benefits other than toning and muscle mass. The basis of calisthenics is movement in spaces, which means you’ll be able to move better in general.
If coordination and balance are difficult for you, calisthenics training is a great way to improve the way you move with your body and the space around you. Having proper form in exercise is incredibly important. And since calisthenics is body movement-based, it’s more likely to be done the correct way.
With weights and resistance equipment, it’s easy to overdo it which means your muscles are not being worked out properly. The lack of needed equipment makes calisthenics an easier training regimen for beginners.
Calisthenics is an entire body exercise every single time. Instead of only targeting certain muscle groups like with weights or cardio, your entire body gets a workout. This is great for people looking to get fit for health reasons or maintain what they already have accomplished.
Not many workouts involve every single muscle in the body, and it’s even rarer that you don’t need equipment for it. Calisthenics is also proven to boost your metabolic rate when resting too.
How Hard Is Calisthenics on the Body?
Calisthenics is actually extremely gentle on the body despite how much of a workout it truly is. This goes back to using weights for resistance training. If it’s done improperly, you can really injure yourself.
Tearing, pulling, and damaging joints and muscles happen when resistance training isn’t performed the way it should be. With calisthenics, you are using your own body weight as resistance and natural movements. There are no adding weights since you’re just merely using your body as it is.
This type of resistance training also aids in the strengthening of fine motor skills which directly relates to balance and coordination. Speed and reflex time are also affected positively by calisthenics training. The movements in calisthenic training require a strong connection between the body and mind.
The longer you train, the quicker and better you’ll be able to perform these actions. Your brain and body will be working hard together to perform what you need to do regarding positioning, speed, and what muscles need to flex and when. It is a holistic experience that strengthens and builds up both your brain and body.
Will Calisthenics Build Strength?
Yes! Calisthenics training is still a great way to build muscle and increase strength.
Your own body mass is far more than you’d be lifting at a gym especially when you are starting out. Think about it, push-ups are hoisting your entire body up and down.
Would you be doing that with more than thirty pounds at the gym? Nope! Same with planks and pull-ups. You are pushing, pulling, and supporting your entire body weight versus lifting a few dumbbells. What weighs more?
You! You may not be able to hold yourself up much at first. But with time and practice, your muscles will build strength and allow you to perform these actions easier and for longer periods of time.
Are There Different Types of Calisthenics Workouts?
Absolutely! If you really want to focus on a core group of muscles that you feel needs extra attention, there are tons of callisthenic-based workouts that are only for specific areas.
There are ab, leg, arms and even back focused calisthenics out there. You can combine all of them into one extreme workout or pace yourself and switch off every other day to give your body a rest. These can be added to a workout routine you already have in order to put some extra focus on a specific body part or replace what you do with weights. The possibilities are truly endless.
Calisthenics is a better way to lose weight than going to the gym because it targets your entire body and is much easier on your joints. It’s something that you can do for free and don’t need to buy any fancy equipment in order to be successful.
Many of the basics like sit-ups and planks can be practiced twice a day to start and it’s a great way to get a feel for your limits. There are Youtube tutorials and workout routines, fitness blogs, and fitness Instagrams that you can follow too. Working out isn’t just to look good either.
The basis of calisthenics is to improve your body movement all around which in turn benefits your health as a whole. Movement is great for the body so why not add some extra kick to it? Calisthenics is great for beginners and for experts looking for a new challenge.