My Favorite Calisthenics Move
My Favorite Calisthenics Move
I remember seeing "Hannibal For King" around 2008, on YouTube.
He went from doing a dip to levitating, between two benches.
That was a Front Lever.
The man was floating.
It was beast mode and smooth at the same time.
I had never seen anything like that.
And it became my all time favorite calisthenics move.
For several reasons.
Yes there are other very cool moves in calisthenics.
But this one is unique.
Because it is:
- The simplest of all "hard" moves
- Deceivingly easy looking
- Extremely hard to hold
- Very minimalistic
- Joints and shoulders friendly
- Gives you bulletproof abs
- Carries on to other movements
- A mindset challenge
Here are a few tips when you train your front lever:
- Always start practicing the hardest version that you can hold.
- Then add easier variations to your sets to extend your time under tension.
- If you are advanced you can use the variation I use in the video.
- If you are starting your front lever journey, use the simple tuck hold to "advanced tuck hold" sequence:
- A full tuck is when your knees are tucked to your chest
- An advanced tuck is when you bring your knees a bit away from your chest as you hold your back straight. Every time you try to extend your knees a bit further without "falling".
- You can also use bands and go from a "one-foot hold" to a "two-feet hold" for example.
For more, get all step by step calisthenics programs and personal coaching here.
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Calisthenics Training FAQ’s
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the author's favorite calisthenics move and where did they first see it? The author's favorite calisthenics move is the front lever. They first saw the move performed by "Hannibal For King" on YouTube around 2008, describing it as the man "levitating" between two benches.
2. Why is the front lever the author's favorite calisthenics move? The author considers the front lever their favorite because it is the simplest of all "hard" moves, looks deceptively easy while being extremely difficult to hold, is very minimalistic, is friendly to the joints and shoulders, helps build "bulletproof" abs, and is a great mental and physical challenge.
3. What are some key tips for training the front lever? The key tips for training the front lever are to always begin by practicing the hardest variation you can hold with good form. You should then add easier variations to your sets to increase your time under tension and build more strength.
4. How should a beginner approach front lever training? Beginners should start with the "tuck hold" to "advanced tuck hold" progression. A full tuck involves tucking the knees to the chest, while an advanced tuck involves bringing the knees slightly away from the chest to increase difficulty without "falling."
5. What is the role of bands in front lever training? Bands are a great tool to assist with front lever training. They can be used to help you progress from easier to harder variations, such as using a band for a "one-foot hold" and then progressing to a "two-feet hold" as you get stronger.
