11 Calisthenics Exercises for Beginners: Benefits, Calories Burned and more

Decided to Take the First Step into Calisthenics?

It all starts with nailing those key exercises.

Kick off with easy versions of classic exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and the good old plank.

When I first started working out, these exercises were tough but incredibly rewarding.

They’re your all-in-one workout tools, building up your strength in a way you’ll notice.

As you gain strength, you can elevate your routine – either by adding personal variations to these exercises or experimenting with new ones.

Calisthenics is great because it mixes up aerobic and anaerobic workouts.

Keep at it, and you’ll see your muscles growing and your body burning calories like crazy.

Here’s a tip: get to know your body.

When I started, I figured out what I was good at and what needed more work.

And one last piece of advice: chatting with a Calisthenics expert can help.

They’re like your personal coach, steering you in the right direction and helping you attain your goals quickly.

Ready to kickstart your Calisthenics adventure?

Let’s do this!

 

Calisthenics, Explained

Let’s jump into the world of Calisthenics!

Ever heard of working out without any fancy equipment or heavy weights?

That’s exactly what calisthenics is all about.

It’s all about challenging gravity using nothing but your own body.

Imagine that – your body as your gym!

Calisthenics isn’t just doing a couple of push-ups or squats.

It’s a whole range of movements where you’re standing, hanging, or even propped up on the ground.

But hey, there are some cool tools to spice up your workouts at home.

Take the Pull-Up bar, for instance.

It’s a game-changer for beefing up your back, chest, arms, and abs.

So, what’s a Pull-Up bar?

Think of it as a horizontal rod that lets you lift your entire body using your back, arms, and shoulders.

The coolest part?

You can set it up anywhere – on walls, ceilings, or even door frames.

There are different types to choose from: Parallel Bars, Doorway Pull-Up Bars, Ceiling Bars, Freestanding Bars, and Wall Bars.

Calisthenics is more than just a workout.

It’s about using different body levers to work every muscle group.

This means you get a full-body tone-up while boosting your strength, coordination, and flexibility.

Plus, you’re burning calories, and improving your posture, and hey, it even gives your self-esteem a lift!

The real deal in calisthenics is mastering how to move and control your body in space.

You’ve probably already tried some basic moves like push-ups, squats, lunges, dips, jumping jacks, crunches, and planks.

But trust me, there’s a whole world of moves waiting for you in calisthenics.

 

Types of Calisthenics

Calisthenics offers a diverse range of workout routines.

Whether you’re looking to shed some pounds or amp up your fitness game, there’s a style for everyone.

What sets this apart?

It’s all about how your muscles dance in eccentric/isometric rhythms.

If you’re new to this, starting with the basics is key.

They’re like your building blocks for better posture and stepping stones to more complex skills.

And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, ramp up the challenge by adding weight, playing with leverage, or shaking things up with instability.

Think of calisthenics as your playground.

You can spice up traditional moves like Pull-Ups, Dips, or Squats by adding some weight.

But remember, once you’ve mastered the core exercises, it’s time to explore new frontiers to keep progressing.

Now, let’s break down the types of Calisthenics:

 

1. Military Calisthenics

Think of it as fitness boot camp style.

Here, the goal is to build soldiers who are quick, strong, and enduring.

This involves simple, effective exercises like Push-Ups, Pull-Ups, and Sit-Ups.

Perfect for beginners, these exercises boost your speed, endurance, and strength.

 

2. Freestyle Calisthenics

This is where things get acrobatic. Imagine combining strength with a flair for showmanship.

It’s all about explosive movements, swings, grip changes, and even flying off the bars.

Tools of the trade?

Parallel bars and rings.

But remember, this is advanced stuff – you need solid athletic skills to nail moves like the 270 Dip, Clap Muscle-Up, or the 360 Pull-Up.

 

3. Street Workout

Ever seen folks doing crazy workouts in parks or urban spaces?

That’s the essence of street workouts.

Popular from Russia to the heart of New York, this style is all about using public spaces as your gym.

It’s not just for show – these workouts pack a punch with moves like Handstands, the Human Flag, and One-arm Chin-ups.

It’s a perfect blend of advanced Calisthenics and urban cool.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Calisthenics offers a rich variety to suit everyone’s taste.

It’s a fantastic way to engage your entire body, improve your fitness, and have fun while you’re at it.

So, are you ready to take on the Calisthenics challenge?

 

Why Should You Do Calisthenics Exercises?

 

 

 

11 Basic Exercises in Calisthenics 

We’ve reached the heart of the matter with the 11 fundamental calisthenics exercises.

These exercises form a solid foundation on which to build your adventure in the world of calisthenics.

But remember, the key is to start with manageable exercises, paying close attention to technique.

As you gain familiarity and refine your movement techniques, it’s crucial to progress to variations that challenge you just enough while ensuring you maintain proper form during execution.

Are you ready to get started?

 

1. Push-Up

A cornerstone in bodyweight training, the push-up engages multiple joints and muscles, offering a full-body workout.

It’s a calorie burner that strengthens your chest, triceps, shoulders, abs, back, and legs.

Plus, its versatility allows for modifications to suit various skill levels.

How to do it:

• Lie prone on the floor, hands placed a bit wider than shoulder-width, with elbows angled towards your toes.
• Extend your legs back, balancing on your toes.
• Engage your core to maintain a straight body line.
• Press down, extending your arms to lift your body.
• Lower yourself until your chest is just above the floor (avoid flaring your elbows out).

Beginner’s twist:

• • Knee Push-Up: Follow the same motion, but with your knees resting on the ground for reduced intensity.

2. Pull-Up

This classic upper-body exercise is perfect for developing strength and muscle coordination.

Suspended by your hands on a bar, the pull-up is a stellar way to engage your arms and back.

How to perform it:

• • Stand below a pull-up bar. Can’t reach? Use a box for a boost.
  • Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, hands a bit wider than shoulder-width.
  • Start by drawing your shoulders back and down.
  • Engage your arm and back muscles, pulling yourself up until your head is above the bar.
  • Lower back down with control.

3 Chin-Up

Similar to pull-ups but with an underhand grip, chin-ups primarily target your biceps and latissimus dorsi, while also engaging the upper back.

How to do it:

• • • Position yourself under the pull-up bar.
    • Grab the bar with an underhand grip (palms facing towards you), hands roughly shoulder-width apart.
    • Concentrate on using your biceps to lift your body until your chin clears the bar, then lower back down smoothly.

 

4. Squat

Squats are the undisputed champions of lower body exercises.

They’re phenomenal for building strength and mass in your thighs and glutes.

Key players in this exercise are your quadriceps, gluteus maximus, and adductor Magnus.

Squats aren’t just about leg strength; they’re a core stabilizer too.

They’re essential for a well-rounded fitness routine, contributing to lower body muscle growth and overall core strength.

How to nail the perfect squat:

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, creating a solid base.
• Extend your arms parallel to the floor, palms down, for balance.
• Shift your weight back onto your heels, bend your knees slightly, and push your hips back as if aiming to sit in an invisible chair.
• Rise back up, straightening your knees, and bring your arms back to your sides.

The key to a great squat is in the details: slow, controlled movements, and a straight back.

 

5. Burpees

If there’s an exercise that truly tests your mettle, it’s the burpee.

Engaging practically every major muscle group in your body, burpees are a powerhouse movement suitable for cardio or strength training, depending on your focus.

This exercise is a calorie-torching dynamo.

The standard burpee strengthens your legs, hips, buttocks, arms, shoulders, chest, and abdomen.

Think of it as a two-for-one deal: a push-up and a jump squat combined into one fluid motion.

Here’s your burpee breakdown:

• • Start in a squat position, knees bent, back straight, feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Place your hands on the floor, just inside your feet.
  • Shift your weight onto your hands, kick your feet back to a push-up position, keeping your body straight.
  • Do one push-up.
  • Hop your feet back to the starting squat position.
  • Explode upwards into a jump, hands reaching for the sky.
  • Land with bent knees, returning to the squat position to complete one rep.

 

6. Crunches

Crunches are a timeless exercise focused on chiseling your core, specifically targeting the rectus abdominis – the coveted ‘six-pack’ muscles.

Ideal for beginners, crunches are straightforward yet highly effective for crafting those dream abs.

Remember, proper form is key to avoid any unnecessary strain on your back and neck.

How to do crunches:

• Lie on your back with your feet flat and knees bent at 90 degrees.
• Place your fingertips lightly behind your head or cross your arms over your chest.
• Engage your core and lift your shoulder blades off the floor, curling towards your knees.
• Lift just enough to feel the core engage; your body should be slightly off the ground.
• Hold for 1-2 seconds at the top of the movement.

 

7. Plank

The plank, a staple in core strengthening, is integral to calisthenics.

It’s a full-body engagement exercise, working everything from top to bottom.

The primary muscles involved in the plank are the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques, counterbalanced by the spinal erectors, lumbar muscles, and to a lesser degree, the traps and rhomboids.

Additional muscle engagement:

• Your forearms, placed on the ground, activate your deltoids, triceps, and cervical area.
• The tension in your legs also involves the lumbar muscles, hamstrings, glutes, and adductors.

6. How to plank:
   • Begin in a push-up position but rest on your forearms.
   • Tighten your core to form a straight line from your head to your heels.
   • Hold this position, keeping your hips up and aligned, for as long as you can manage.

 

8. Jumping Rope: A Cardio Power Move

Jumping rope isn’t just for kids; it’s a high-impact exercise that boosts endurance and strength in a short time.

It’s budget-friendly and portable, perfect for on-the-go workouts.

How many calories does it burn?

While individual results vary, you can burn approximately 150 calories in 10 minutes.

That’s up to 500 calories in a 30-minute session!

How to jump rope:

• • Hold the rope handles, keeping your arms at an even distance from your body.
  • Use your wrists to swing the rope over and under you.
  • Jump lightly, letting the rope pass beneath your feet, knees slightly bent.

 

9. Dips

Dips are a fantastic exercise for strengthening your upper body, especially the triceps.

They also engage your anterior deltoids, pectorals, and rhomboids.

How to do dips:

• • Stand inside the dip bars.
  • Grip the bars and lower your body until your shoulders dip below your elbows.
  • Push up, extending your arms fully, using your triceps.

 

10. Lunges

Lunges are a versatile leg exercise where one leg steps forward into a bent position, while the other extends behind.

How to do lunges:

• Stand upright with feet together.
• Step forward with one foot, bending the knee to form a right angle.
• The back knee should almost touch the ground.
• Push off the front heel to return to standing, then repeat with the other leg.

 

11. Leg Raises on a Pull-Up Bar

Ideal for an advanced core workout, this exercise targets your lower and upper abdominal muscles, as well as hip flexors.

How to do leg raises:

• Grab the pull-up bar with an overhand grip, thumbs wrapped around for stability.
• Raise your legs until parallel to the ground or higher.
• Slowly lower them back down, maintaining a posterior pelvic tilt throughout.

Can’t use a pull-up bar?

Try lying leg raises to activate those hard-to-reach lower abs.

 

Shed Pounds with Calisthenics: A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss

Losing weight effectively through exercise hinges on your ability to elevate and sustain a high heart rate.

This is key to ramping up calorie burn and melting away fat.

Calisthenics shines in this aspect as its movements engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, leading to higher calorie expenditure.

On average, you can torch about 400-600 calories in an hour of Calisthenics.

Here’s the kicker: as you build muscle through these exercises, your body demands more calories than it does for maintaining fat tissue.

Muscle is metabolically more active, meaning the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest.

So, by boosting your physical strength with Calisthenics, you’re not only shaping up but also turning your body into a more efficient calorie-burning machine.

It’s a win-win.

 

Building Muscle Mass with Calisthenics: A Smart Strategy

Wondering if Calisthenics can help you bulk up?

Absolutely!

Whether the resistance comes from gym equipment or your body weight, the key lies in ensuring that the resistance provides enough challenge to trigger muscle hypertrophy.

While weightlifting is often seen as the go-to for muscle building, it can be tough on your joints.

Injuries can throw a wrench in your training routine, hindering muscle gain.

This is where Calisthenics steps in as a safer, joint-friendly alternative.

By progressively challenging your body, it not only enhances mobility but also strengthens your joints, reducing the risk of injury.

This means you can consistently train, build strength, and consequently, muscle mass.

However, Calisthenics is sometimes perceived as less effective for leg development.

Yet, by incorporating weights and gym machines, you can specifically target your leg muscles.

But wait, don’t go just yet!

Here are 5 tactics for upping your Calisthenics game:

1. Optimize Your Grip: Ensure your grip is strong enough to avoid early fatigue before your muscles are fully worked.
2. Vary Your Routine: Increase reps, sets, and rest time between sets to continuously challenge your muscles.
3. Mix It Up: Combine both difficult and simpler exercises to keep your routine balanced.
4. Add Weights: Consider using weighted vests or dip belts to intensify your workout without increasing reps.
5. Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your workouts to celebrate small victories and set clear goals for each session.

 

Boosting Bone Strength with Exercises Like Push-Ups

Exercises that require your bones to bear weight, like push-ups, are not just about building muscle; they’re crucial for fortifying your bones too.

Besides push-ups, other closed-chain exercises like bench presses and pull-ups are excellent for increasing bone density.

Research suggests that the more weight your bones support, the stronger they become.

This is not just about enhancing strength; it’s a proactive step against bone-related ailments like osteoporosis.

The principle here is simple yet powerful: when you perform weight-bearing activities, the force against gravity stimulates your bones to grow stronger.

This is a natural response of your body to adapt and fortify itself.

Studies have repeatedly highlighted the significance of load-bearing physical activities for maintaining skeletal health.

In experiments where animals and humans experienced zero-gravity conditions or immobilization, a marked decrease in bone mineral density was observed.

Our skeletons need regular ‘loading’ to stay healthy.

Steven Hawkins, Ph.D., a professor of exercise science, underscores this.

He notes that when bones are subjected to moderate stress, they respond by building density.

Depending on your age and training routine, this can lead to an increase or maintenance in bone density.

So next time you’re doing push-ups, remember, you’re not just working on those muscles; you’re also investing in stronger, healthier bones.

 

Calisthenics: Elevating Stamina and Boosting Testosterone

Alright, let’s talk testosterone – the real muscle game-changer.

You see, when it comes to building muscle, it’s not just about lifting weights; it’s about optimizing that training volume.

We’re talking sets and reps here.

High-volume workouts, the ones that make you sweat, are like a secret potion for boosting testosterone.

And guess what?

It’s not just for the guys; ladies benefit from it too!

But wait, it gets better.

Calisthenics, yeah, those bodyweight moves, they’re not just about getting fit.

They’re like a holistic upgrade for your body.

Your endurance goes up, your heart health improves, and, oh, did I mention the hormonal balance?

Research shows that endurance exercises, the kind you find in calisthenics, are like a turbocharger for your hormones.

And multi-joint exercises, they’re the real MVPs, beating isolation moves any day when it comes to pumping up those anabolic hormones.

 

Final thoughts

These 11 beginner-friendly moves are like your golden ticket to becoming a stronger, more agile you.

But hey, it’s not just about physical strength; it’s about building up that mental and physical resilience too.

Listen up, the core of Calisthenics is all about progression and sticking with it.

You start right where you are, use whatever you’ve got, and do your absolute best.

Every workout is like a step on the ladder to a better you.

Now, here’s the deal – this journey is all about setting those personal goals, giving yourself a high-five for every milestone, and always pushing your limits.

So, strap in, stay committed, and get ready to unlock a whole new level of strength and confidence you didn’t even know existed.

Welcome to the Calisthenics world!