What can calisthenics do for you? Let me show you.

One quick note – PLEASE do not turn this into a debate of weightlifting vs. calisthenics/bodyweight strength training (it is not at all my intention to imply that one is better than the other). The “lift heavy” mantra is very popular on MFP, that’s obvious – but for those of you who don’t necessarily have heavy lifting goals, the equipment to do so or are simply unfulfilled athletically by lifting weights, I’d like to show you what calisthenics can do for you.

Up until January of this year, I worked mostly with weights and personally, heavy lifting was just not in line with my goals, I did not enjoy it, and likely because of those reasons, the results I was seeing from it were not great. I wanted to be lean and strong, but also agile and flexible with the ability to propel and lift my body weight quickly and easily through any obstacle or course. Hello, progressive calisthenics!

For those of you not familiar with it - calisthenics is one of the oldest tried and true forms of exercise. It allows you to build strength progressively with no equipment, using your own body weight as resistance.

When I was lifting weights – yes, I could lift heavy objects, but I couldn’t do one proper push up or pull up, and my muscles were tight. I lacked mobility, flexibility and the overall well-rounded athleticism that I wanted (think, American Ninja Warrior).

I wish I had the ability to take good video, because I would love to show everyone how far I’ve come. If anyone, anywhere, anytime challenges me to a pushup contest – I can do about 150 good ones before my arms start to shake a little. And that’s just your standard wide pushup – barbwires, one-armed, and handstand pushups are my favorites. I am that crazy adult on the jungle gym, flying through the monkey bars with ease. Sometimes my husband will discover me in odd positions throughout the house – climbing a doorway, or holding myself up in the air on the kitchen counter... or on the roof. Lol. I can scale and lift myself over almost anything - trees, walls, fences…

So now you’re probably thinking, why? What’s the point? For me, it’s the fact that having this kind of unlimited, self-made strength is so… SO… empowering. It gives you a kind of cool confidence that is hard to explain. Not to mention – it is damn FUN.

I have leaned out much more in a much shorter period of time than I ever did while lifting weights. The difference between my weight in January and now is only about 4-5 pounds, but look how much bigger the pants and bra are on me below and how much more muscular definition I have.

Here are a couple of pictures from December (during weightlifting, and shortly before I stopped):



FLAT BUTT ALERT!



And here are photos after about 8 months of calisthenics/bodyweight strength training. P.S. – I realize that I look like death in these pics. I had just worked out! P.S.S. – I have had large weight loss (125 lbs.) and have a lot of loose skin on my body, unfortunately. I’m not embarrassed by it – BUT it does certainly mask some of my results I think.



Finally got that squat booty.













And here my daughter saw what I was doing and so we had some fun.






Just to reiterate – NOT ONE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS.

If you’re interested in getting started with calisthenics, here’s some resources I recommend:
Al Kavadlo’s books (one of the best known experts in bodyweight strength training)
http://www.alkavadlo.com/store/

Convict Conditioning (book)
http://www.dragondoor.com/b41/

My own routine basically consists of the following:
Monday – bodyweight circuits
Tuesday – agility circuits
Wednesday – bodyweight circuits
Thursday – yoga
Friday – rest or short run
Saturday – cycling
Sunday – rest or short run

Thanks so much for looking and I’d love to answer any questions you have! It feels so great to be able to share my progress and I’m looking forward to improving and continuing to challenge myself.