But during a calisthenic workout, core training is incorporated in every single movement. No matter which bodyweight exercises you are doing, you will always engage your abs. One of the worst side effects of a sedentary lifestyle is a fall down in your natural flexibility. This especially affects the stabilizers in your joints, leading to health hazards in the long run. is madmuscles safe “Calisthenics uses body weight as resistance, whereas weight training uses external loading,” Sales says. Weight training can make it easier to increase load for maximum strength, while calisthenics demands more coordination and relative strength, or how strong you are for your size.
The 17 Best Bodyweight Exercises For Beginners
Since calisthenics falls in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it’s effective in helping you lose weight and burn calories. When I first started getting more active, I couldn’t find a routine that would help me lose some extra chub. Before I started incorporating a basic calisthenic workout routine into my life, I could barely touch my toes. However, with constant practice of exercises such as deep squats and lunges, my body started becoming more flexible. Once you feel confident in your grip strength, start incorporating hanging knee raises.
Half squat
Hold the position, then walk your feet down the wall slowly to return to the floor. Get into a deep squat and roll backward onto your shoulders. Roll forward again and go into the bottom of a deep lunge with your back knee pointing 90 degrees to the side. The heel of your front foot should stay flat on the floor. Place your hands just outside shoulder width and lower your body until your chest is about an inch above the floor. Your lower back shouldn’t arch and your elbows should point 45 degrees from your torso.
Health News
The major benefit of calisthenics is that it is a great form of resistance training that requires minimal to no training equipment. Once you’ve got the hang of it and the workouts start to feel like a breeze, it’s time to kick things up a notch. That’s where the principle of progressive overload comes in—keeping your body guessing and growing stronger. If you’re into calisthenics—using your own body weight as resistance—you’re in. Some effective exercises include “bodyweight squats”, “lunges”, and “glute bridges”.
In fact, a beginner calisthenics workout is actually a great way to bring some fun, bootcamp-style cardio into your regular workout routine. After completing the 21-day plan, you can continue your fitness journey by using the plan as a template to create your own workout routine. Focus on gradually increasing intensity, trying new exercises, and setting new fitness goals to maintain progress and motivation. We have a great beginner calisthenics workout plan for women and a beginner calisthenics workout plan for men. Or try this advanced calisthenics workout plan for women. If you want to get the benefits of cardio and strength training through calisthenics then perform your exercises in a circuit.

Intermediate Calisthenics Circuit Workout
Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses your body weight as a form of resistance to perform full-body exercises. Fitness experts regard calisthenics as an effective way to keep in shape that can help improve strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. McDonald adds that pulling movements can be harder without equipment, and lower-body strength may plateau once bodyweight squats become easy. For many people, a fitness plan with a mix of calisthenics and weight training is best.
Stand with feet between hip and shoulder-width and quickly lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Land softly, and reset yourself before you begin the next rep. Lower your hips back to the floor, plant your hands, and repeat the movement to the other side. Push your hips forward again and twist your torso to the right, reaching your right arm overhead. Use your hands to gently push your hips back so your feel a stretch on the inner side of your right thigh.
Scapula Rows: 3 x 8-12 reps
Workout trends may come and go, but High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has proven its staying power in the fitness world. Renowned for delivering maximum results in minimal time, HIIT continues to be a top choice for those seeking an efficient and effective workout regimen. If you’re following the plan in our app you can discard this section since you’ll have a dedicated warmup section for each workout. For improving strength, you need to do big movements that force multiple muscle groups to coordinate together and help in transferring power efficiently.
About Oskar Faarkrog, ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

Calisthenics is as effective as exercises like cycling for boosting fitness and quality of life. Gentle progressions and mindful technique keep you on track for better days. Gently pull it forward so you feel a stretch on your right thigh and hip. At the same time, extend your back and use your left hand to push on your left knee so you end up in a tall kneeling position.
Squat again, and repeat the entire sequence until time runs out. Lie on your back and extend your arms and legs to form an X shape. Perform a crunch, drawing your knees to your chest along with your arms. Stand with your feet between hip and shoulder width, and squat down to place your hands on the floor in front of you. Jump your legs back into the top of a pushup position, then reverse the motion to come back up to standing. Stand with feet shoulder width and squat down to place your hands on the floor.
Cardiovascular Health
- Hold your legs in a tucked position, then a diamond position, then move straddle over time.
- For example, a 10-minute bodyweight workout for beginners is more than enough if you’re just starting out.
- There are several techniques that you can do for increasing resistance in calisthenic exercises.
- If you are dealing with joint pain or aches then weight lifting can have bad impacts on your joints although it’s great for building muscle.
- Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses your body weight as a form of resistance to perform full-body exercises.
- 1 rep before failure means that you stop each set when you know you can’t do another rep with good form.
They can also be performed anywhere without equipment, making them accessible and convenient for maintaining a consistent fitness routine. You don’t build muscle when you’re exercising, you build muscle when you’re resting, so try not to do a strength training routine (of the same muscle groups) two days in a row. Calisthenics workouts are an extremely effective way to build muscle, gain strength, and improve your fitness level. The best part is, they can be done anywhere, especially if you don’t want to train at a gym.
Why Calisthenics Works for Building Muscle Mass
In addition, being a master of moving your own bodyweight through space locks you into being lean and muscular. You can be obese and bench press 400 pounds, but there’s no way you’ll be doing 20 chin ups with perfect form while being fat. Workouts need to be programmed carefully to get the most out of your body.
Pull-Ups (10 reps)
We’re breaking down why building and maintaining muscle is key to your overall health, performance, and longevity. My name is Oskar Faarkrog, I’m an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and my website SKINNY-FAT TRANSFORMATION has been read by over 6 million skinny-fat guys from all over the world. There’s no need to load your spine with a heavy barbell and do barbell squats or heavy bench presses when you haven’t mastered moving your bodyweight through space yet. The right hormonal environment for building muscle mass is mostly created through better nutrition. Focus on increasing reps each training session and once an exercise get’s too easy, move to a harder variation.
English