WHAT IS WORLD CALISTHENICS ORG?

WHAT IS CALISTHENICS?

While the contemporary fitness industry has a hard time separating itself from gimmicky marketing and fickle trends, there are certain universal truths in the community. Calisthenics is a consistent staple in nearly all physical disciplines and has proven merit through the test of time. When exploring the roots of formal exercise, we find that strength and conditioning through the use of body-weight alone can be traced back to ancient Greece. The word “calisthenics” comes from the ancient Greek words kalos (κάλλος), which means “beautiful”, and sthenos (σθένος), meaning “strength” or “beautiful strength”.

Calisthenics or body-weight training is defined by Wikipedia as:

“Calisthenics are a form of exercise that consist of a variety of gross motor movements, often rhythmical, generally without using equipment or apparatus, thus in all essence body-weight training. Thus making them different from High-Intensity Anaerobic training such as CrossFit and P90X and generally safer. They are intended to increase body strength, body fitness and flexibility through movements such as pulling or pushing yourself up, bending, jumping, or swinging, using only one’s body weight for resistance. They are usually conducted in concert with stretches. When performed vigorously and with variety, calisthenics can provide the benefits of muscular and aerobic conditioning, in addition to improving psycho-motor skills such as balance, agility and coordination.”

Calisthenics has elements of practicality and versatility for trainees of all walks of life. It can produce gravity defying strength and dynamics for athletes, all while still being accessible to older populations and children for relative strength and proprioceptive development. With the right understanding of leverage and body orientation, creativity is our only limitation.

PLAY:

The advantages of developing our physical capacity through play does not fade with age. Calisthenics demands constant neurological input and feedback to refine specific skills. Practicality and accessibility aside, one of the most redeeming aspects of body-weight training is the element of play. Having fun during a workout allows the practitioner to enjoy their time exercising. All the while, it reinforces a positive experience with the enthusiasts consistent activity and physical development, leading to a less sedentary lifestyle.

ATHLETICS:

It would benefit most athletes to develop relative strength and a keen sense of body awareness. Athletic performance is highly dependent on relative strength and ability to make the most out of our body through open space. The proprioceptive development necessary for many bodyweight exercises can be an asset to both young and seasoned athletes looking to stay in tune with their body on the field and in the gym. Athletes will find the increased movement variability of a calisthenics program to be an asset to their sport or discipline.

PHYSIQUE:

A notable myth in the mainstream fitness community is that developing an impressive build with the use of bodyweight training is limited, if not impossible. One look at the physiques of even casual gymnasts and calisthenics athletes and we quickly discover how faulty this notion can be.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Quote: John Wooden

The Team