I’ve trained everyone from pro baseball players with big contracts to snot nosed spoiled 10 year olds who have 4 iPads, and you know what they all have in common? They can ALL benefit from the basics of human movement. When it comes to being a functional human being on the planet earth, improving the quality of your movements should be top priority. Unfortunately, we have been manipulated by the commercial media to believe that 6 pack abs and sexy glutes are the symbols of a high level of fitness and athleticism. What if I told you that there was a way that you could improve your joint range of motion, muscle tone, neuromuscular efficiency, burn fat, get shredded, become more athletic, become a ninja and never get injured? You’d probably say “ Nick shhhhhh”. So I won’t tell you those awesome things, I’ll let my man Stephen Clark THE calisthenics expert fill you in on why calisthenics are awesome for athletes…
1. Limitless Progressions – Progressive calisthenics is based on adaptability. Athletes must adapt to different stresses throughout their training, competitions, games, matches, etc. Calisthenic practitioners can use intensity variables to make exercises harder or easier, and this “intensity calibration” is much more versatile than simply adding or dropping weight from a barbell. These variables include movement speed, range-of-motion, weight-to-limb ratio, and leverage – just to name a few. All of these variables are worth trying when attempting to break through plateaus and achieve your athletic goals.
2. Teach Kinematics – Any serious athlete should educate themselves on the “why” of their training. A lot of you reading this, as well as the person writing this (Me!) – are tactile, or hands-on learners. Practicing calisthenics is a great way to increase your understanding of principle concepts of mechanics and classical physics such as Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, and Newton’s Law of Gravity, as well as centers and lines of gravity. Parents: Do I get brownie points for this? 🙂
3. All Natural – It’s a fact – calisthenics are a more natural way of training than lifting weights in a gym or running on a hard, flat surface such as a sidewalk. During the turn of the 20th century, French physical educationist Georges Herbert developed his system of La Method Naturelle based on the instinctive movements of indigenous peoples. He did so after noticing the impressive physiques of people living in closer harmony with the earth compared to those living in industrialized societies. The foundation of calisthenic training is comprised of natural movements such as pushing, pulling, squatting, lunging, stepping, etc. The ancient Olympians trained with calisthenics. And oh yeah, did I mention that the work Georges Herbert went on to form the basis of the sport of parkour?! If you ask me, professional traceurs and freerunners are the best athletes in the world. Respect.
4. Safety First – Calisthenics are among the safest way to train to reach any athletic goal. Not only do I recommend calisthenics for the seasoned athlete, but also for the beginner new to exercise altogether. Before one increases loads on exercises through use of external weights, they must first learn the movement unloaded and with proper form! It will pay off in the end, trust me.
5. Calisthenics = Fun – It might just be me (it’s not :)), but I think performing calisthenics is a blast! If an athlete (or anyone, really) enjoys their training, they will be 100% more successful. This is true for any endeavor. Enjoying the journey is more important that reaping the benefits of the outcome. I will stand by that claim to the grave…
Micke Haggstrom and Jack Arnow are two beautiful exemplars of the importance of having fun with their training. Micke is a member of Barstarzz Sweden and is the sickest athlete I’ve ever met. Jack Arnow is in his seventies and can pull off feats of strength such as the one-armed chin up and front lever. Talk to these guys about calisthenics, and you can see the passion in their eyes.
~ Do what you love.