If you’re ready to build real strength, master bodyweight movements, and embrace a lifestyle of holistic fitness and wellness, tune in to the Online Calisthenics Podcast on Spotify.
I created this unique podcast, using AI and the best resources from my Online Calisthenics Academy, including my full training course, blog articles, and website content, to deliver insights, techniques, and inspiration to help you transform your body and mind.
Calisthenics is one of the most accessible and effective forms of fitness. Using only your bodyweight, it’s a workout system designed for every level, allowing you to start simple and progress to advanced moves like muscle-ups and handstands.
Calisthenics isn’t just about looking strong; it’s about building sustainable fitness that supports your entire lifestyle.
With the Online Calisthenics...
If you’re serious about getting the most out of your calisthenics workouts, then warming up properly isn’t optional—it’s a necessity.
Skipping a warmup might save a few minutes, but it’s a great way to limit your performance and risk injury.
So whatever your workout is, here is one of the best warmup exercises for beginners and advanced athletes alike: standing toe taps.
Why Standing Toe Taps?
The standing toe tap is deceptively simple.
While it may look like a basic stretch, it’s actually working multiple muscle groups at once.
This move activates your core, strengthens your back, and increases flexibility in your hips and hamstrings, all while getting your heart rate up.
When done for 2-3 minutes, toe taps also provide a gentle cardio boost, making them an excellent choice for an all-around warmup.
How to Do Standing Toe Taps
Let’s break down how to perform standing toe taps with...
If you’re diving into calisthenics, let’s start with something foundational—no, not flashy handstands or flips—just hanging around.
Yes, literally hanging.
The deadhang is probably the simplest-looking move in calisthenics for beginners, but don’t underestimate it!
This move is a lot more than it looks and will boost your journey toward a stronger grip, bulletproof shoulders, and that first pull-up you’ve been dreaming about.
Think you can already hang from a bar? Hold up—most people can’t last 10 seconds! This move is crucial because it sets up everything else in calisthenics.
Here’s why the deadhang should be your new best friend, how to nail it, and a quick guide on adding it to your training so you can actually get somewhere with your goals.
Why Start with the Deadhang?
In calisthenics, we’re building full-body strength, and that includes everything from your fingertips...
If you're here, you’ve already made a great decision—to get serious about fitness.
Forget expensive equipment, gym memberships, or fancy machines.
All you need is your body, a little space, and a plan that focuses on building functional strength you can use in the real world.
This beginner calisthenics workout plan is your go-to blueprint to transform your fitness journey.
Let’s break down how to train smarter by focusing on movement patterns, building your base strength, and turning your own body into your ultimate piece of equipment.
Movement Patterns, Not Muscle Groups
When it comes to calisthenics, training by muscle group is out, and training by movement pattern is in.
Why?
Because your body is an interconnected machine, designed to move in multiple directions, not just flex isolated muscles.
Think about it: life...
When it comes to training, there’s one element that’s often overlooked, but it’s critical for real progress: speed.
Without it, all the power in the world is wasted.
Whether you’re doing a calisthenics workout, lifting weights, or playing a sport, the speed at which you move directly impacts your performance and results.
It’s time to understand why speed is essential and how it should be a focus in your calisthenics training.
If you’re serious about improving, then speed is not optional—it’s mandatory.
Power Is Nothing Without Speed
You might think building raw strength and power is the ultimate goal, but without the ability to move quickly, that power won’t translate into real-world performance.
The speed at which you can perform a movement is just as important as the force behind it.
Both need to be at their peak to generate maximum output.
Think of it like this: It’s not...
The way you take care of your body directly impacts how fast time catches up with you.
Some people age like fine wine, while others start feeling the wear and tear much sooner.
What's the difference?
Lifestyle.
The Story
At 44, I'm stronger and train harder than I was at 24.
I also don't feel that I aged.
And today, while tackling the UNOG challenge for the second time —completing 1,223 reps without the 7-mile beach run—I overheard a conversation that perfectly illustrates this point.
It was between two men: one who had already crossed the 50-year mark and another who was approaching it.
The older guy, in his mid-50s or early 60s, was reassuring the younger man that "everything’s going to be okay" once he turns 50.
He added, "Your body will slow down, but that’s fine—nobody’s perfect."
Now, let me point out...
If you're serious about improving your calisthenics workout and overall performance, you can’t afford to neglect the hidden muscles that play key roles in stability, strength, and mobility.
While most people focus on the obvious muscle groups like the chest, shoulders, and abs, they often forget about critical muscles that support your movements behind the scenes.
Today, I'm going to highlight five often-overlooked muscles that you’re probably not training enough—and more importantly, I’ll tell you exactly how to work them.
Strengthening these muscles will take your training to the next level and help you avoid common injuries.
Let’s get started!
1. Serratus Anterior: The Secret to Upper Body Stability
Why It’s Important
The serratus anterior is a crucial muscle for upper body strength and scapular stability.
If you want to perform better in exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, or...
The calisthenics journey is all about grit, discipline, and hard work.
I’ve spent countless hours pushing myself to master the moves that seemed impossible at first.
Muscle-ups, front levers, back levers, the human flag, handstands—these are the milestones I worked towards.
I broke through personal limits, completing 25 pull-ups in one set, 100 push-ups in another.
But there is one move that I haven't tackled, one that’s undebatably one of the hardest in calisthenics: the one-arm pull-up.
It wasn’t on my radar until recently.
But I decided it was time to confront this challenge. If you're serious about building a strong back and fixing imbalances, it’s time to add this into your calisthenics workout routine too.
Why the One-Arm Pull-Up?
The one-arm pull-up is a beast of a move. The best thing about it is that it doesn't look anywhere close to how hard it actually is.
It...
You can’t keep partying every weekend, running on bad sleep, and expect your body to magically transform.
Progress requires real commitment.
That might mean quieter Saturday nights, but that’s what it takes if you’re serious about reaching your goals.
Most people say they want a healthier life, but very few are willing to make the necessary changes.
If you’re inactive or haven’t worked out regularly, increasing your workout sessions alone won’t cut it. Sure, it’s a good start—but it’s not enough. To really see results, you need to make changes beyond your workout routine.
Here’s what you need to start doing today to see real progress in both fitness and lifestyle. This will not only help you see improvements but will also set you on the right path for the long term....
If you have to think about it, that’s a problem. Most people stop sprinting by the time they hit 30. That’s right, 90% of the population leaves sprinting behind as they age, and that’s a number that needs to change.
Why? Because sprinting is the most basic form of fitness.
It’s what our bodies are designed for. Humans are built to run, and not just for short distances. We are endurance machines, capable of running longer than any other mammal on the planet.
If you’re not sprinting, you’re neglecting a fundamental aspect of your fitness.
It's time to get started.
The Importance of Sprinting in a Calisthenics Leg Workout
For those serious about fitness, incorporating a calisthenics leg workout that includes sprinting is non-negotiable. A well-rounded calisthenics course doesn’t just focus on upper body strength and core stability.
Your legs need...
50% Complete
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.