Post: #1

Calisthenics Exercises

Calisthenics are a time-tested system of exercises which may date back as far as ancient Greece, though they have naturally been developed, systematized, and brought fully in tune with a biological understanding of the human physique only within the past century. These exercises perform a wide variety of functions, with no particular emphasis on any one workout outcome, so they are well suited to people who want to increase their cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and general coordination and dexterity, while also burning fat and staying trim with a single set of exercises.

One of the major advantages to calisthenics is that all these different functions are achieved without the need for fancy, expensive exercise equipment. As might be expected from a set of exercises developed by the ancient Greeks,

Calisthenics uses only your own body weight and its interaction with gravity for resistance, which has several highly positive effects which we will examine further in a moment. The human body is an extremely flexible instrument – more so than most quadrupeds, for example – and can therefore adopt potentially hundred of different poses and carry out thousands of varied motions.




This means that any muscle group, as well as your muscles as a whole, can be thoroughly worked out using calisthenics alone. You can potentially develop a sinewy, agile, healthy physique using this exercise program without ever setting a finger to barbells, dumbbells, rowing machines, or any other external equipment. You will not be able to build the exaggerated muscle mass of professional weightlifters, but you can render yourself strong, fit, and capable with calisthenics alone.

Benefits of calisthenic exercises:

calisthenics workout- These type of exercises have proven to be quite beneficial. One such benefit is the fact that as an individual it makes it possible for you to better understand yourself in regards to your physical capabilities. This is highly important as you continue to operate in your day to day life. It also helps by protecting you from injuries.
- Another benefit a person can get from a calisthenic workout is the fact that it helps to better both the muscular and cardiovascular health.
The biggest result from calisthenics exercises is going to be better health and staying fit.

Read this article about bar brothers workout to learn more and start your own journey down the exciting, rewarding road of calisthenics exercise.
[Mod: removed spam link]

Post: #2

Body weight training is great, but keep in mind you will never have results like the two guys in that video if you aren't overloading extra weight. There comes a point when you will plateau on gains with just body weight - in that case you need to add weight somehow.

Frank Medrano does weighted exercises to get the results he has. Heavy weighted exercises. He only weight like 160ish and he does dips with 180lbs strapped to a belt. Also last I checked he allegedly eats a fully vegan diet. No meat or dairy. Dude's done great for himself.

Post: #3

(04-30-2016 12:06 PM)General Stalin Wrote:  Body weight training is great, but keep in mind you will never have results like the two guys in that video if you aren't overloading extra weight using PEDs.

I corrected it for you.

I don't believe that Medrano maintains his elite levels of leanness and relative strength, together with decent muscle mass, while on a vegan diet.

Same goes for the other famous bodyweight guys, like Adam Raw, Hannibal for King etc.

Post: #4

(05-01-2016 02:49 AM)PhDre Wrote:  

(04-30-2016 12:06 PM)General Stalin Wrote:  Body weight training is great, but keep in mind you will never have results like the two guys in that video if you aren't overloading extra weight using PEDs.

I corrected it for you.

I don't believe that Medrano maintains his elite levels of leanness and relative strength, together with decent muscle mass, while on a vegan diet.

Same goes for the other famous bodyweight guys, like Adam Raw, Hannibal for King etc.

I am a newcomer to intermediate when it comes to weightlifting. Hell, it took me a long time to get into the gym and do my first squat as the more books I read the more confused I got. Programs, supplements, techniques, calisthenics vs. weightlifting…

I have come to the decision that I will try and simply combine both weightlifting and calisthenics. Seems like the best of both worlds solution to me. Additionally, I am also trying to incorporate flexibility exercises into my regimen because I love the feeling of being light and mobile with my body.

Honestly I was demoralized for a long time when I was looking at the killer bodies some of the guys have. But now everybody is saying that everybody is on some kind of PED’s or another. Bleh. It gets even more confusing. Oh well, I’ll just keep diligently continuing hitting the gym and see where my ceiling is.

It is going to be hard but fun.

Post: #5

(05-01-2016 03:25 AM)Guriko Wrote:  I am a newcomer to intermediate when it comes to weightlifting. Hell, it took me a long time to get into the gym and do my first squat as the more books I read the more confused I got. Programs, supplements, techniques, calisthenics vs. weightlifting…

I have come to the decision that I will try and simply combine both weightlifting and calisthenics. Seems like the best of both worlds solution to me. Additionally, I am also trying to incorporate flexibility exercises into my regimen because I love the feeling of being light and mobile with my body.

Honestly I was demoralized for a long time when I was looking at the killer bodies some of the guys have. But now everybody is saying that everybody is on some kind of PED’s or another. Bleh. It gets even more confusing. Oh well, I’ll just keep diligently continuing hitting the gym and see where my ceiling is.

It is going to be hard but fun.

The one thing that's honest to you is your body. Go out and do shit first and foremost.

I do what you're planning to do. I weight lift twice a week and do raw calisthenics once to twice a week. When I'm not dealing with finals week I weight lift three times a week, do a boxing workout those days, and calisthenics twice a week.

Twice a week with relevant weight lifting keeps you able to progress with tricks like front levers and muscle overs, while giving you mass. The mass won't come as quickly as if you did strictly weight lifting, but you'll get very dense, lean-looking muscle that way. I don't see much difference in my tricks progressions when I scale back to two days a week, strangely enough

At least for me, the magic split is three parts weights two parts calisthenics.

But above all just go out and do it. And don't let the PED's accusations derail your goals or confuse you. You can get a rock solid body without gear. Too many guys walk around acting like you can't even get a six pack without using steroids.

There are some people who are roided up and you can't look the way they look naturally. Medrano might be on steroids. But I know (actually, we probably all know) people with that physique who are natural. There are some guys with high metabolisms who look like that while eating whatever they want. And there are people who are on steroids who look like total shit. People get carried away with these things.

Post: #6

A often forgotten benefit is that it would is more useful in a SHTF situation e.g. climbing trees, having to crawl through a place undetected, holding yourself elevated in a precarious position, etc.

http://www.beastskills.com is a fantastic resource for advanced bodyweight exercises by the way. Handstand pushups, levers, one arm pullups etc.