We are over a month into 2024. Your new year’s fitness resolutions may have fallen by the wayside, but not to worry!
There is a new exercise trend that is taking social media by storm, with no fancy equipment or gym membership required.
Calisthenics is a form of resistance training that simply uses the weight of your body and gravity to strengthen muscles, increase endurance and improve general mobility and flexibility.
@aizah_fit Replying to @.i.m.a.n.i Upperbody to get you started from home:) #calisthenics #beginnerworkout #homeworkout ♬ Makeba – Jain
The workout is made up of common movements like squats, push-ups, planks, and burpees. Researchers say that calisthenics can be particularly beneficial for beginners who were previously more sedentary, so it’s an excellent choice if you’re just looking to get moving! It is also said to be helpful in improving posture and balance.
While the exercises are relatively simple in nature, it is important that you are doing them right. TikTok and YouTube are full of tutorials for calisthenic exercises, and if you’re in a gym don’t be afraid to ask a worker or a fellow gym goer to show you the proper form.
@chloe.mac.coaching If you’re a complete beginner and want to start calisthenics at home, try this workout! Start off with the first 5 exercises circuit style, repeat 2-3 times! Then finish with some skill practice 🤸🏼♀️ #beginnercalisthenics #howtostartcalisthenics #athomecalisthenics
While calisthenics is the perfect introductory workout for people just starting out, it is also a great addition to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and strength training workouts.
It might be hard to believe that you can get good muscle toning without using any weights, but look at Gymnasts! They are an example of how lean and strong you can get by just lifting your body weight.
Neither weight training nor calisthenics is particularly ‘better’ than the other, it just depends on your goals.
When it comes to burning calories, calisthenics is the more efficient option, as the exercises use multiple muscle groups at once. Therefore, it’s better for burning calories, whereas weight training contains isolated movements that do not require a lot of energy, but focus more attention on specific muscles.
@andreaantoniou_ Hope this helps 💕 #pushups #gymtok #calisthenics #fittok #fitness ♬ original sound – Andrea Antoniou
Though calisthenics is trending now, it isn’t new. The name actually comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘strength and beauty’.
For something to be around that long, it must work!
The workout routine is not just a passing fad in the trend cycle, and it’s ideal for people of all fitness levels, as you can adjust the exercises depending on your personal ability.
If you’re someone who prefers to work out in the comfort of your own home, who doesn’t want to buy a bunch of equipment, or is looking to improve endurance, increase muscle strength, and boost your metabolism, calisthenics might just be for you!
Words by Sorcha Lynch