Try This Quick Calisthenics Pull Ups and Push Ups Challenge!

I wanted to try a quick calisthenics challenge: do 50 pull ups and 100 push ups, as fast as possible.

It's way more challenging than it sounds.

The hard variable is time. Trying to complete all the repetitions in a short time is where it gets tricky.

Your rest time is minimum and each repetition gets harder as you go.

1- For the pull ups, I split the sets as follow: 10-10-10-5-5-5-5

My time for the pull ups was: 6min 40 sec.

I started pretty good on the first 3 sets of 10, with about 20-30 sec rest in between. Things started getting tough around the last 2 sets of pull ups where I had to struggle my way up.

Here is how to get better at pull ups if you are getting started!

I took about a minute to reset the tripod between pull ups and push ups.

2- For the push ups, I did: 30-25-20-15-10

My total time after the push ups was: 9 min 50 sec.

While the goal was to rest as little as possible, my form started to suffer af...

Venice Beach Calisthenics Games - Results & Replay!

The Venice Beach Calisthenics Games took place last Saturday and the results are in!

The Sets and Reps Competition had about 50 participants (men and women) competing for the most reps possible in pull ups, push ups and dips.

Form had to be clean for the repetitions to be counted as valid. 

Each movement had to be performed with full range of motion (elbow lock out) and in one go (no pause or stopping allowed).

Some really strong athletes took part in the event! The rules were strict with everyone.

And the results are here!

Men's winners

• Pull ups: 29
• Push ups: 75
• Dips: 60

Women's winners

• Pull ups: 12
• Push ups: 39
• Dips: 18

These numbers are solid given that no breaks were allowed at all! Any repetition that wasn't clean was NOT counted. 

Overall the energy was really high the whole day.

The afternoon was the amateur freestyle session!

Watch some cool tricks in the IG Live Replays here!

It was a great time, se...

The First Ever Venice Beach Calisthenics Games 2023!

Mark your calendars for the exciting Venice Beach Calisthenics Games 2023 on July 29th!

The entire beach will be transformed into a giant summer camp, filled with energy.

And here's the best part – it's a FREE event, open to everyone who wishes to participate.

Prepare for a great "sets and reps" competition, where the ultimate challenge is to perform as many repetitions of each exercise as possible without taking a break.

The competitor with the cleanest and most repetitions will be crowned the champion!

The primary focus is on executing each move with impeccable form, which means that bad form reps will not count. To guarantee fairness, our judges will be present to carefully assess each participant's performance.

Here the list of movements for the competition:

•  Max Pull-ups
•  Max Dips
•  Max Push-ups
•  Max Handstand Hold
•  Max L-sit Hold
•  Max Deadhang Hold

You can pick up to 3 movements you wish to compete in.

The eve...

Explosive Push Ups Calisthenics Tutorial.

Today I want to talk about one of my favorite calisthenics move: the explosive push-up. 

If you're already a push-up master, it's time to take it up a notch by jumping off the ground for part of the push ups.

Here are 4 progressive explosive push ups yo can train:

•  Clap Push-Ups: Do a push up starting in a plank position, protracting your shoulders to the max, and focus on a full range of motion. Lift your hands off the ground and clap your hands at the top of the move and control the descent. Engage your scapula by shrugging them/squeezing them together after landing on the way down to protect your elbows.
•  Chest Clap Push-Ups: These are a bit harder. It requires you to engage your core, take your hands off the ground at the top of the move and clap your hands quickly on your chest then land as soft as possible. Focus on engaging your core in a hollow body, to provide enough air time for the clap.
•  X Push-Ups: Spread your feet apart an
...

3 Calisthenics Moves for Bullet Proof Core and Shoulders!

Let’s discuss three intermediate to advanced calisthenics exercises to develop strong shoulders and a bulletproof core. 

Let's dive in!

•  Dive Bomb Push-ups: This exercise starts with a pike push-up where you then “dive” into a low plank position and back. In details you need to begin in a pike position with your pelvis tilted back, staying on your toes. Lean your shoulders slightly forward over your hands, engaging your shoulders and creating tension. Slowly lower yourself to the floor, bringing your hands to your hips for a full range of motion. Avoid arching your body at the end of the movement to maintain core tension. Press back up to the starting position, keeping a straight back throughout. This exercise is rather advanced and challenges your entire upper body and core.

Go for 3-5 reps x 3-5 sets

•  Shoulder Forward Lean: This exercise is a variation of a plank performed on your elbows, where you lean further forw
...

2 Move Variations for Strong Shoulders!

You probably heard me say that strong shoulders are important.

Because they are essential! So today we are diving in 2 movement variations to get your shoulders very strong and stable.

Make sure to warm up efficiently before you start!

1. The Pike Push Up

You may know and or use this movement, but here is a particular adjustment you have to make if needed: lean forward before you start bending your elbows. This will allow you to recruit your pec-minor and the upper part of the pec major muscle group to support your shoulders, specially at the bottom of the push up.

Push back up straight!

Watch the video here.

2. The Elevated Pike Push up

Once you are comfortable with pike push ups, use anything to elevate your feet (chair, bench, yoga blocks....) and perform the pike push up from there.

Elevating your feet helps put more relative weight on your upper chest and shoulder area.

The higher your feet are, the harder the pike push will be.

3 Calisthenics Exercises To Get Strong and Healthy Shoulders!

Today, we're going to dive into an essential topic: building strong shoulders.

Strong shoulders are crucial for overall upper body strength and contribute significantly to your overall body strength. So, let's take some time to discuss the key factors that will help you develop robust and powerful shoulders.

To kick things off, we'll start with a mobility drill called the Shoulder Dislocates with a stick. This drill is designed to improve shoulder mobility and ensure that you can achieve full range of motion. Lack of mobility often restricts people's ability to fully express their shoulder strength, leading to less than satisfactory results. 

For this exercise, all you need is a stick or a broom. Stand straight and hold the stick it front of you with a grip wider than shoulder-width. The goal is to move the stick behind you and as low as possible, while rolling your shoulder blades and engaging your shoulder muscles. Squ...

3 Movements For a Full Body Calisthenics Workout. No Equipment.

Today, I want to discuss three great movements that provide simultaneous upper body and lower body action.

These exercises are not only good for cardio, mobility, coordination, and strength, but they also deliver a well-rounded workout when incorporated into your fitness routine.

Let's start with the spider push-up. It's a classic variation where you bring your knee to your elbow with each repetition, alternating legs each time. Here's how it's done: as you lower yourself down, bring your knee to your elbow, ensuring a strong connection. This engagement is crucial for maximum core activation. Keep your core tucked in and your shoulders protracted while performing the movement. Avoid arching your back or letting it sag. Keep your foot grounded firmly to maintain balance when lifting one leg. Remember to switch legs for every repetition. When viewed from the front, you should notice that your elbows remain close to your b...

6 Calisthenics Push Ups For Chest And Triceps!

Here are 6 push ups variations that will help you target the chest and triceps at home. 

These home chest and triceps workout sets are good for intermediate calisthenics practitioners.

You can also use them if you are an "advanced"  beginner and want to break a plateau in your push up training.

There are a lot of different push ups and this selection is an introduction to more. This is made to trigger more angles and add variations to your traditional push up routine. 

Use these alternatives in your workout sets. You can also add isometric holds at the end of each set. Calisthenics allow us to train at any level so this bodyweight chest workout without equipment can be used by everyone.

1/ Neutral grip, fist push ups: doing push ups with your fists closed helps building forearm strength along with more direct impact on the triceps and chest. We are pushing with less surface than the palm of the hand so this adds an extra challenge to...