12 Weeks To Double Your Pull Ups

Earlier I covered how to get started with pull ups.

Today I want to share a tested plan to boost your max pull-ups. 

Whether you're a beginner or a pull-up enthusiast, this three-day-per-week pull up program is designed to take you to the next level. 

Let's dive in and double that max of yours!

this plan works great for anyone currently able to do 4-12 pull ups. 

It still works if you are above that but I’ll write another article to cover this in depth.

You would use that pull up program every other day.

Day 1 - Max reps Sets

This is the day where we run our max sets.

This time we go for 5 sets of your maximum repetitions. 

This mean you have to keep good form through all the reps and not kip for it to count!

Note that you can use a light band during set 4 and 5 if your strength starts to be low. You can also stop after set 3 or 4 if you can’t get any repetition.

The goal is progress to 5 sets overtime.

Rest 3-5...

Calisthenics when overweight?

I have sometimes heard: “I think I need to lose weight before I can start calisthenics”.

This is because people think they need to be able to do pull ups and hard push ups right away.

And this isn’t the case at all!

In fact, it’s the opposite!

Starting and doing calisthenics will make you lose weight.

You will also then become stronger and able to achieve the harder moves that you once thought was impossible!

Watch my client Antal’s transformation, from calisthenics beginner to achieving the muscle up in 2 years!

If you are a beginner and/or need to lose weight here are some useful substitutions for the movements you can’t do yet:

Push ups: 

• Start in a plank, do the negative repetition all the way to do get your chest to the floor, then use your knees to come back up. 
• If you can’t do that yet, start with standing push ups against a wall or elevated push ups with hands on a bench or chairs.

Pull ups:...

Can Calisthenics Build Muscle?

Have you ever wondered if calisthenics, with its bodyweight-focused approach, can truly help you build muscle?

Let's break it down and explore why calisthenics is the muscle-building secret you've been searching for, with insights from a seasoned calisthenics coach.

Understanding Calisthenics:

Calisthenics, a workout method emphasizing bodyweight exercises, introduces a unique dimension to muscle building.

This dynamic training, consisting of push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and dips, relies on your body weight as resistance, setting the stage for a comprehensive strength-building experience.

•  Bodyweight Resistance and Functional Strength:

The power of calisthenics lies in utilizing your body as resistance. This holistic approach engages every muscle group, fostering not just hypertrophy but also functional strength – the kind that makes daily activities a breeze.

•  Progressive Overload for Growth:

Calisthenics offers a progressive...

Best Push Ups For Chest and Triceps

Are you looking to hit your chest and triceps with calisthenics?

Look no further!

These are by far the best push ups you can do to get a great chest and triceps pump.

If you haven't guessed yet, I am talking about the narrow grip push ups.

Here I am doing them on a narrow wall, which also increases core engagement and balance work.

These push ups require good shoulder mobility!

Focus on form and tempo when doing them, as it's easy to lose form and the benefits that go with it!

Go for 5-10 reps x 5-10 sets. 

I recommend to hold the last rep down for 5-10 seconds on each set, to maximize your overall time under tension.

Adapt the volume and intensity as needed.

Here is how to get started with push ups if you can't do the narrow grip ones yet!

If you need more guidance overall, get all my calisthenics programs and personal coaching here!

Here is your updated, Free Calisthenics Toolkit.

Wether you are a beginner or more advanced calisthenics athlete, you will find practical information to make progress and thrive with calisthenics.

The posts are sorted out by topic:

• Full body workouts
• Upper body
• Lower body
• Push ups
• Pull ups
• Core
• Skills
• Nutrition
• Stretching and mobility
• Cardio
• Mindset
• Workout tips

Here is the full list, including links to each post.

Let's go!

Here is my updated Calisthenics blog posts list!

Wether you are a beginner or more advanced, you will find practical information for you to thrive with calisthenics.

The posts are sorted out by topic:

• Full body workouts
• Upper body
• Lower body
• Push ups
• Pull ups
• Core
• Skills
• Nutrition
• Stretching and mobility
• Cardio
• Mindset
• Workout tips

Here is the full list, including links to each post.

Let's go!

I use this as a calisthenics workout finisher.

This is a great move that will fire your entire body (lats, serratus, core, glutes, legs).

Lie in a hollow body position on the floor. Place a resistance band under your lower back/glutes and pull both ends up with your arms straight up, palms facing up! 

Lift your legs up, straight, pointing your toes in front of you a few inches from the floor.

Hold from there.

Alternate hollow body holds and leg flutters. Go for 5 rounds of 30 sec to 1 min each.

Use a resistance band that challenges you enough so you can hold it for 30 seconds.

Hold a water bottle in each hand or any weighted object if you don't have bands.

Increase resistance, reps, time as you progress.

Pair this exercise with some superman holds and/or scorpio raises.

Your abs are going to burn!

Get ALL calisthenics workout programs and coaching here if you are new!

Simple Full Body Beginner-Intermediate Calisthenics Workout.

In this post I want to focus on a simple full body Calisthenics Workout for beginners and intermediates.

Here are three exercises that will make you feel more agile, stronger, faster, and overall enhance your "human" skills. 

Let's get started!

•  Crawling: Crawling is an essential primal movement that we used to do as kids, and it's important to maintain that ability as adults to keep our mobility intact. Start by getting down on all fours and crawl forward. Keep your hips and chest low while maintaining a straight line from your shoulders to your feet. Avoid piking up or arching your back. Alternate bringing your knee to the corresponding elbow on each side. When crawling backward, maintain the same momentum and reverse the pattern. This exercise challenges your coordination, agility, and engages your core, triceps, and chest.

Go for 10 crawling (down and back), adjust distance depending on level. Minimum...

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!

How To Fix Your Squats With Simple Calisthenics!

Today, we're diving into an important topic: how to fix your squat form. 

The answer is proper ankle mobility!

Often, our ankles lack the flexibility we need for effective squats, which can limit our range of motion and hinder our lower body exercises. 

But don't worry! I've got some simple drills that will increase your ankle mobility and enhance your overall squatting technique.

Let's start with ankle flexions against the wall. 

Stand about an inch or two away from the wall and bend/bring your knee towards it while keeping your heel firmly planted on the floor. Connect with the wall and repeat this movement for each leg. As you progress, gradually step away from the wall, creating more tension and challenging your ankle mobility. 

Do 5-8 reps per leg and hold the last one against the wall for 5-8 seconds.

Next up, we'll perform an assisted version of the previous exercise.

Grab your ankle and heel, firmly...