The word "calisthenics" may sound antiquated, but exercises that use only body weight and calisthenics have proven their value for centuries.
From the ancient Spartan soldiers to the US Marines, all military forces use calisthenics, with simple exercises such as pushups, pull-ups and sit-ups, as the most important tools in their training.
In recent years, mainly through social media, athletes who work out on the street without weights, instruments and many times we think they defy gravity have sparked interest and highlighted calisthenics and the results that simple exercises can have on the body.
Below we present you the benefits of calisthenics and how you can build your body muscles through it.
No.1 Fewer injuries with Calisthenic gymnastics
As we mentioned above, calisthenics exercises are much more "friendly" to the joints in contrast to exercises with weights. For example, chest presses on the bench or leg extensions for the quads, although they have impressive results, can in the long run create problems for the shoulder and knee joints respectively.
For people who have pushed their bodies for several years or people over 40, Calisthenics is considered one of the best ways to maintain fitness while limiting joint injuries.
No. 2 Multiple benefits to professionals of other sports
Calisthenic exercises teach you to master your body. They teach coordination, balance and self-awareness. Unlike resistance machines that limit your range of motion, bodyweight exercise means you have to control your limbs and maintain proper body position. This has positive effects on many sports and other "functional" activities.
For this reason, many martial arts athletes (boxing, muay thai, etc.) prefer body weight exercises as they increase muscle mass but do not negatively affect muscle speed and elasticity.
No. 3 Fitness without restrictions
Most of the basic calisthenics exercises, such as lunges, pushups, sit-ups, can be done anywhere. This means you'll never miss a workout just because you can't get to the gym on time.
Also because calisthenics exercises don't require time to set up any exercise equipment, you can move from one exercise to the next quickly and easily, making your workout much more time efficient.
No. 4 Consume more calories
Unlike gym equipment, calisthenics improves not only muscle strength but also balance.
In order to achieve balance in calisthenics exercises, many more muscles of the body are activated, but a combination of muscles and joints is also required. This has the result that more energy is needed and thus more calories are burned during and after training.
No. 5 Strengthen your core body
A strong core certainly plays a key role in most physical exercises. Leg presses in gyms may not work out the core as much, but neither does a one-leg squat that is considered a calisthenics exercise.
Scientific research groups in America, examining the abdominal and back muscles with an electromyogram, found that the most effective exercises for training the trunk are those that are not done with fixed gym equipment but with the use of the whole body. Additional exercises such as pushups and lunges also contributed to strengthening the trunk.
To have a first acquaintance with calisthenics School of Calisthenics
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