Essential Lower Body Calisthenics Workout Tips!

A few weeks ago, I posted an article about 2 essential things you can do to get a stronger body: warm up your wrists extensively, every day and constantly aim to get a strong false grip when working out.

Today we continue with a focus on 4 lower body adjustments you should make to get a stronger lower and overall body.

Let’s start with the pelvis.

The posterior pelvis tilt is of paramount importance. Let’s delve into the significance of the pelvis tilt in calisthenics training a majority of us suffer from an anterior pelvis tilt caused by excessive sitting. This tilt is often accompanied by a weak lower back, particularly the lumbar area. Prolonged periods of sitting and driving exacerbate this issue. Consequently, we must prioritize the practice of posterior pelvis tilt.

Whether you are performing pull-ups, push-ups a squat, or static holds, mastering the pelvis tilt is crucial. The objective is to learn how to...

How To Unlock Your First Pull Ups with Calisthenics!

When it comes to getting started with pull-ups, it's important to follow a progressive approach.

Many feel intimidated by pull-ups and may prefer alternative exercises to build strength and confidence.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you develop the necessary strength and technique for pull-ups.

•  Warm-up: Begin with a warm-up exercise called the "pull apart" using a light resistance band. Perform 10+ reps from different angles to engage your scapula and shoulder blades.
•  Front Row/Bent Row: Use a resistance band to perform the front row exercise, focusing on good lat activation and proper form. Gradually increase the resistance as you progress.
•  Doorway Pull-up: Use a lower bar or rail in a park setting as an alternative to a pull-up bar. Perform Australian pull-ups or inverted rows, alternating grips to balance the workload.
•  Scapula Retraction: Lay on the floor, face down, and perform scapula retractions...

6 Calisthenics Plank Variations To Get Strong Abs!

Today, we're going to focus on the importance of planks and the various variations you can incorporate into your routine.

Planks are often seen as a simple exercise, but there are actually many different ways to perform them, each targeting different muscles and adding new challenges to your workouts. So, let's get started with the different plank variations.

First, we have the Plank Forward Lean. In this variation, instead of keeping your shoulders over your hands, you lean slightly forward to create tension and activate your core. By shifting the position of your hands, you engage your core more effectively, which benefits movements like handstands, planches, and other challenging yoga poses. Remember to focus on keeping a straight line and avoid stacking your shoulders directly over your hands.

Next, we have the Superman Plank. In this variation, your arms are overhead, bringing your hands as far as your arms extend, creating...

I have been posting articles about calisthenics for years.

Wether you are a beginner or more advanced, my goal is to give you as much practical information for you to thrive with calisthenics.

You will find lots of information, on different topics, from training to nutrition, mobility, mindset and more.

Here is the full summary, sorted by theme, including links to each post.

Use it to train, make progress, break plateaus and thrive!

6 Effective Calisthenics Exercises to Develop Your Back Muscles!

Today, we're going to discuss effective ways to develop your back muscles using bodyweight calisthenics workouts.

Building a strong back through calisthenics is not only versatile but also highly efficient. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or more advanced, there are exercises suitable for everyone. Let's dive into some of these exercises starting from the beginner level and gradually progressing to more advanced variations.

We'll begin with the Scorpio and Superman superset, which requires zero equipment. This exercise is fantastic for enhancing scapular strength, crucial for your upper back and lower back sections. Start by lying on your belly and lift your arms and chest off the ground. To engage your lower back, raise your feet as well. Superset the Superman with the Scorpio variation by pulling your scapula together and bringing your arms from straight to a 90 degree angle, pointing your feet up...

5 Reasons Why People Often Struggle to Achieve Their Fitness Goals!

Today, we're going to discuss the main reasons why people often struggle to achieve their desired results in their fitness journey.

It's common for individuals to feel motivated at the beginning of the year, or when they decide to adopt a healthier lifestyle and set resolutions to improve themselves. 

However, somewhere along the way, they tend to fall short and struggle to reach their goals. In my experience, this lack of progress has five main reasons. So, let's delve into them.

The first reason many people fail to achieve their desired results is quite simple: they don't train enough. 

When starting any form of training, it's often recommended to begin slowly and gradually increase intensity. While this approach is important, once you've familiarized yourself with the movements and techniques, it's crucial to ramp up your training. You don't need to wait years to see progress; instead, increase...

How To Get Strong Wrists and Boost Your Calisthenics Workouts!

These tips often go unnoticed and are often neglected by many individuals, which unfortunately hinders their results.

By incorporating these tips into your calisthenics routine, you can maximize your potential and achieve better outcomes. 

Let's begin with wrists warm up stretches.

Whether you're performing pulling exercises, pushing movements, or lifting dumbbells, your wrist and grip strength play a significant role in your overall strength. It enables you to achieve a maximum range of motion and maintain proper form during exercises. To enhance your wrist strength, here are four essential wrist stretches that you can perform before any workout.

The first stretch involves placing your hands in a straightforward position, similar to the position you would assume during a push-up. Stay on your knees, keep your fingers and thumbs spread apart, roll around your wrists, maintain forward-facing elbows, and keep your...

10 Best Calisthenics Exercises for Lower Abs From Beginner To Advanced!

Today, we're going to focus on targeting the lower abs.

Many people try various exercises and routines to work on their core and achieve a flat stomach. In this session, I want to share the best exercises to specifically target the lower abs and explain how they work.

Before we dive into the exercises, let's briefly talk about the anatomy of the abs to give you a better understanding of what you're working on. The abs consist of different layers of muscles, but people often focus on the superficial layer, known as the rectus abdominis, which is engaged during crunches and similar movements. However, it's important to also target the underlying muscles, such as the obliques that allow for lateral and twisting motion and the transverse abdominis that provides a strong foundation for the rest of the muscle groups.

To effectively engage the lower abs, one simple cue is to lift your legs. By raising your legs, you...

6 Calisthenics Legs Exercises To Boost Speed and Athleticism!

Today, we will discuss athletic leg workouts, which are crucial for enhancing speed and athleticism.

Do NOT neglect explosive movements, particularly when focusing on the legs.

Activating fast-twitch muscle fibers can provide significant benefits, amplifying the results of your efforts in the long run. Additionally, incorporating explosive exercises adds a cardio element to your routine, promoting overall progress and a stronger physique.

Let's break down some of the best calisthenics leg exercises to increase speed and enhance athleticism.

First, jump squats.

Start in a squat position with your hands in front of you and jump using your legs to propel yourself upwards while extending your arms behind you. Aim to achieve a straight body position in the air before landing with your hands in front of you, aiding balance and allowing for a deeper squat.  Jump up with your body fully off the ground,...

2 Ways to Make Your Calisthenics Workouts Harder!

There are many ways to change and vary your workouts to keep making progress!

Here are some of my 2 favorite methods to make ANY exercise and workout set harder.

First, the "1.5 rep" technique.

This consists in doing "one and a half repetition" of an exercise instead of one repetition, each time during the set.

Let’s take the example of a squat.

From the standing starting position you do a full negative squat, then from the bottom of the squat you only complete half of the phase up, then go back down right away, and finally go back all the way up to the starting position.

It works for every movement and will tremendously increase the difficulty of each set.

You can also mix “1.5 rep sets” with normal sets and alternate. 

You may also only apply this technique to specific exercises, areas you want to emphasize during your workouts. 

Now let's talk about the "Paused reps"...