Calisthenics is a form of bodyweight resistance training that uses gross motor movements (whole-body movement) and skills, usually without equipment.
These exercises will help to increase body strength, flexibility and body fitness through the performance of movements like jumping, bending, swinging, twisting, kicking, pushing and pulling, using only the body weight for resistance. In addition, calisthenics helps improve skills like balance, quickness and coordination.
There are many benefits of bodyweight training, such as the following:
The most challenging part of any exercise, including calisthenics, is knowing where to start. Below are some of the best free online resources that will show you exactly how to start as a beginner or advance your calisthenics.
Fitness FAQs
If you want to master calisthenics, you’re in the right place. Daniel Vadnal is the face behind Fitness FAQS. He is a calisthenics expert and physiotherapist. His down-to-earth approach and knowledge of calisthenics are top-notch.
With hundreds of videos on his YouTube channel, Daniel covers various topics, including calisthenics tutorials, body part-specific workouts, increasing strength tutorials, mobility, injury prevention and management tutorials, motivation and more.
Calisthenic Movement
Sven Kohl and Alex Lorenz are the faces behind Calisthenic Movement.
Sven Kohl, a physical therapist, is the founder of Calisthenic Movement.
Alex Lorenz is a calisthenics and parkour specialist with a sports teacher degree focused on nutritional sciences.
With their combined education, extensive knowledge and common sense approach, their video tutorials will have you master the basics and help you advance your calisthenics.
They offer over two hundred free and informative video tutorials on improving your calisthenics on their YouTube channel.
They also provide various paid programs on their website targeted at improving your body strength and mobility with calisthenics.
Calisthenic Movement - YouTube
Thenx
Chris Heria heads up Thenx, The School of Calisthenics.
If you want to learn how to do a pull-up properly or work your way up to a handstand or muscle-up, head over to the Officialthenx YouTube channel.
They have tons of free videos covering calisthenics for beginners, the most advanced exercises, and a range of full-bodyweight workouts.
Their well-instructed workout videos will teach you everything you need to know about bodyweight training.
Simonster
Simon Ata, aka Simonster, is a world-renowned leader in bodyweight training, calisthenics athlete and a physiotherapist.
He says, “Designing a calisthenics program is both an art and a science”.
His video tutorials provide clear and precise instructions on how to master calisthenics exercises for beginners to the more advanced athlete.
Check out his YouTube channel for over one hundred free video tutorials.
For anyone wanting to learn calisthenics exercises regardless of their current fitness level, he has a complete training program on his website. He also has an app-based program called Project Calisthenics that can be purchased on the Fit! app.
Barstarzz
Barstarzz is a group of fitness enthusiasts credited for globalising the Freestyle Calisthenics movement. Their YouTube channel has hundreds of videos of tips, tutorials, workouts, and plenty of inspiration to keep you going.
Michael Vazquez
Check out Michael Vazquez’s YouTube channel for his energy, athleticism and unique exercise variations in his workouts.
His calisthenics and bodyweight workouts will help you burn fat and build strength and endurance. He also has a variety of workouts using minimal equipment like dumbbells.
Frank Medrano
Frank Medrano constantly challenges himself with his workouts as an expert in bodyweight training.
Check out his YouTube channel for some superhuman workout videos and tips.