Starting a new workout routine doesn't have to cost you an arm and leg. With calisthenics, you can make significant changes to your fitness and physique with only your body weight (trust me – you can do it!). This type of exercise is perfect for beginners who want to improve their flexibility and strength. And, it takes your athletic abilities to a whole new level.
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. However, this guide covers the benefits of calisthenics along with ways to incorporate it into your routine with a 30-day calisthenics workout plan so you can be healthy and active throughout your life.
Ready to flow with every movement? Let’s take a deeper dive into calisthenics.
Summary
Calisthenics exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, deep squats, lunges, burpees, mountain climbers, etc. build your stability, stamina, and coordination. This method of workout combines strength and cardio training using bodyweight only, leading to balanced muscle growth. This form of workout is best for people who want toned or defined muscles without gaining mass. It also improves your flexibility, helping you perform daily tasks effectively.
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The Health Benefits Of Calisthenics
Calisthenics is one of the most effective forms of resistance training using your body’s weight only. Not only is it amazingly effective, but it is also engaging, accessible, and has multiple exercises to do. This prevents growth stagnation and boredom.
Some of its major benefits include:
1. Enhanced Strength and Muscle Tone
One of the main reasons why calisthenics workouts lead to incredible results is because these exercises work for several muscle groups simultaneously. A basic calisthenics workout comprises squats, pull-ups, and push-ups – exercises that target multiple muscles at once.
When I first started with push-ups, I was amazed at how quickly I could feel my chest, shoulders, and triceps working together. This approach not only resulted in well-balanced muscle development but also improved my functional strength.
The best part is – I feel fulfilled when I measure my progress. Since push-ups have helped me gain upper body strength, I’m able to lift groceries without feeling overburdened. And I’ve been able to gain muscle definition without looking bulky!
Learn how to do diamond push-ups in-depth.
2. Enhanced Flexibility and Mobility
Another reason why calisthenics is so great is because it promotes a full range of motion in every exercise. This means your muscle is contracting and extending at a full stretch. This improves your overall flexibility and mobility.
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.
This doesn’t just make you feel like you can flow with every moment. Rather, this eliminates the risk of injury and makes moving around feel more seamless. This gives you the confidence to lift, leap and lunge. And beyond training, it allows you to do daily activities with ease.
Understand the difference between Yoga vs. Pilates to see which one is better for your flexibility.
3. Cardiovascular Health
When it comes down to your long-term health, you need to make sure your cardiovascular health is in the best shape. As high-intensity calisthenic workout plans rev up your heart rate, they prove to be extremely important in boosting your cardio health.
When I started incorporating a combination of cardio and core training exercises such as burpees and mountain climbers into my calisthenics routine, I felt a better burn in my muscles. These exercises made me sweat and feel a blood rush, giving me a throbbing heart rate.
As I continued my practice, my endurance and stamina built up. I stopped wheezing and losing it and started feeling like the workout was more doable. This helped me in my daily life as well. Getting up on the 10th floor of my office stairs didn’t make me pant anymore. And it just felt great!
Improve your functional strength with kettlebell swings and battle rope workouts.
4. Weight Management
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.
However, calisthenics has been a complete game-changer for me. It combines cardio with strength, allowing me to burn fat and ultimately, lose unnecessary weight. This also allowed me to tone my muscles up without gaining bulk.
I did experience an increase in my appetite. But after some research, I realized it was because my body was burning calories even at rest, which was a bonus. Watching the scale move in the right direction and fitting into clothes more comfortably is what kept me on track.
Combine HIIT with strength training with this fast twitch muscle workout.
5. Mental Well-being
Above everything else, calisthenics is extremely important for your mental health. At least I felt way calmer and more productive after starting this workout.
Working out boosts your mental health because your body releases endorphins post-workout, which is considered an organic mood elevator. This hormone fights stress and anxiety, allowing you to feel calm and in control.
On days when I feel overstimulated, upset, or just irritable in general, I hit a basic calisthenic session to turn this feeling upside down. The rush of blood, the feeling of achieving my goal and just watching myself get better at a challenging workout makes me feel good about myself. All the while overcoming stress!
Check out 4 exercises that improve your mental health!
30-Day Calisthenics Workout Plan For Beginners
| Day | Workout | Exercise | Sets & Reps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: Building the Foundation | |||
| Day 1 | Full Body Workout | Push-ups | 3 sets of 10 reps |
| Squats | 3 sets of 15 reps | ||
| Plank | 3 sets of 20 seconds | ||
| Jumping Jacks | 3 sets of 30 seconds | ||
| Day 2 | Upper Body Focus | Pull-ups (assisted if needed) | 3 sets of 5 reps |
| Tricep Dips | 3 sets of 10 reps | ||
| Shoulder Taps | 3 sets of 10 reps per side | ||
| Day 3 | Lower Body Focus | Lunges | 3 sets of 10 reps per leg |
| Glute Bridges | 3 sets of 15 reps | ||
| Calf Raises | 3 sets of 20 reps | ||
| Day 4 | Rest and Recovery | ||
| Day 5 | Core Strength | Sit-ups | 3 sets of 15 reps |
| Russian Twists | 3 sets of 20 reps | ||
| Leg Raises | 3 sets of 10 reps | ||
| Day 6 | Cardio and Flexibility | Burpees | 3 sets of 10 reps |
| High Knees | 3 sets of 30 seconds | ||
| Static Stretching | 15 minutes | ||
| Day 7 | Rest and Reflect | ||
| Week 2: Increasing Intensity | |||
| Day 1 | Full Body Workout | Push-ups | 4 sets of 12 reps |
| Squats | 4 sets of 20 reps | ||
| Plank | 4 sets of 30 seconds | ||
| Jumping Jacks | 4 sets of 45 seconds | ||
| Day 2 | Upper Body Focus | Pull-ups | 4 sets of 6 reps |
| Tricep Dips | 4 sets of 12 reps | ||
| Shoulder Taps | 4 sets of 12 reps per side | ||
| Day 3 | Lower Body Focus | Lunges | 4 sets of 12 reps per leg |
| Glute Bridges | 4 sets of 20 reps | ||
| Calf Raises | 4 sets of 25 reps | ||
| Day 4 | Rest and Recovery | ||
| Day 5 | Core Strength | Sit-ups | 4 sets of 20 reps |
| Russian Twists | 4 sets of 25 reps | ||
| Leg Raises | 4 sets of 12 reps | ||
| Day 6 | Cardio and Flexibility | Burpees | 4 sets of 12 reps |
| High Knees | 4 sets of 45 seconds | ||
| Static Stretching | 20 minutes | ||
| Day 7 | Rest and Reflect | ||
| Week 3: Mastering Movements | |||
| Day 1 | Full Body Workout | Push-ups | 5 sets of 15 reps |
| Squats | 5 sets of 25 reps | ||
| Plank | 5 sets of 40 seconds | ||
| Jumping Jacks | 5 sets of 1 minute | ||
| Day 2 | Upper Body Focus | Pull-ups | 5 sets of 8 reps |
| Tricep Dips | 5 sets of 15 reps | ||
| Shoulder Taps | 5 sets of 15 reps per side | ||
| Day 3 | Lower Body Focus | Lunges | 5 sets of 15 reps per leg |
| Glute Bridges | 5 sets of 25 reps | ||
| Calf Raises | 5 sets of 30 reps | ||
| Day 4 | Rest and Recovery | ||
| Static Stretching | 25 minutes | ||
| Day 7 | Rest and Reflect | ||
| Week 4: Pushing Limits | |||
| Day 1 | Full Body Workout | Push-ups | 6 sets of 20 reps |
| Squats | 6 sets of 30 reps | ||
| Plank | 6 sets of 1 minute | ||
| Jumping Jacks | 6 sets of 1 minute | ||
| Day 2 | Upper Body Focus | Pull-ups | 6 sets of 10 reps |
| Tricep Dips | 6 sets of 20 reps | ||
| Shoulder Taps | 6 sets of 20 reps per side | ||
| Day 3 | Lower Body Focus | Lunges | 6 sets of 20 reps per leg |
| Glute Bridges | 6 sets of 30 reps | ||
| Calf Raises | 6 sets of 35 reps | ||
8 Tips for Beginners Starting Out with Calisthenics
Getting into calisthenics is not for the faint of heart. But overcoming these challenging workouts can give you a sense of accomplishment – which just feels great. Some useful tips for starting out include:
- Get your form right with basic compound movements such as squats, push-ups, and planks.
- Never overlook warmup – this is extremely important to prepare your muscles and stabilizers for working out.
- Be regular with your workouts because, without consistency, you won’t be able to see the results you aim for or stay motivated.
- Pay attention to how your body feels pre and post-workout. If you feel too sore, don’t hesitate to take a rest day to recover – it helps your body feel recharged.
- Focus on progressive overload by incorporating varieties of your workout, increasing reps and sets as you advance further. This will help you become stronger while having the same foundational exercise.
- Make sure you build a mind-muscle connection when working out so you can isolate each muscle and improve its engagement. This will help prevent injuries while boosting your muscle definition.
- Stay nourished with a healthy, protein-rich diet to maintain muscle growth while staying energized.
- And lastly, have fun throughout! Look for exercises and routines that you love, so instead of dreading your workout, you enjoy it!
Conclusion
Starting out your fitness journey and that too, with calisthenics exercises is a powerful and empowering step towards being active. As you utilize your body weight, you’re able to gain flexibility and build strength without really investing in expensive fitness equipment.
While it’s difficult to execute, you can get incredible results by staying consistent and devoted to your routine. Just make sure to not overwork yourself and set realistic goals. And, applaud yourself for taking the first step to becoming a better you – keep pushing, and you’ll get there!
FAQs
How to start calisthenics as a beginner?
As a beginner, you need to focus on getting your form right on compound movements such as planks, squats, and push-ups. Start with a few reps and work your way up to building strength. Make sure you stay consistent and continue practice. Before workouts, always do dynamic stretches or skipping to warm-up your body to prevent injuries.
How long should a beginner do calisthenics?
It's best to keep your calisthenics workout to 30-40 minutes long, including warmups and stretches. Avoid overtraining your body as this could lead to exhaustion and be counterproductive. Do give yourself rest days at least 1-2 times a week to let your muscles heal and adapt to the rigorous training.
What are the basic exercises for calisthenics?
Some of the basic calisthenics exercises include:
- Push-ups to work your triceps, shoulders, and chest.
- Squats to target your hamstrings, quads, glutes, and calves.
- Planks to build your core strength and stability.
- Pull-ups to build back and upper body strength along with working your shoulder stabilizers.
- Lunges work your flexibility and coordination while boosting leg strength.
The best part about calisthenics workout routine is that you can progress and level up with time and practice. And, you can get a workout done at home or in the gym!
Can you self-learn calisthenics?
Yes, you can self-learn calisthenics by following online tutorials, joining calisthenics communities, and practicing consistently. Start with basic exercises and gradually increase the intensity as you gain strength and confidence. Make sure to maintain proper form to avoid injuries.
