Calisthenics

An athlete doing planche
Planche is one of the hardest calisthenics skills

Calisthenics (American English) or callisthenics (British English) (/ˌkælɪsˈθɛnɪks/) is a form of strength training that utilizes an individual's body weight as resistance to perform multi-joint, compound movements with little or no equipment.[1]

Calisthenics solely rely on bodyweight for resistance, which naturally adapts to an individual's unique physical attributes like limb length and muscle-tendon insertion points.[2] This allows calisthenic exercises to be more personalized and accessible for various body structures and age ranges.[3] Calisthenics is distinct for its reliance on closed-chain movements. These exercises engage multiple joints simultaneously as the resistance moves relative to an anchored body part, promoting functional and efficient movement patterns. Calisthenics' exercises and movement patterns focuses on enhancing overall strength, stability, and coordination.[4] The versatility that calisthenics introduces, minimizing equipment use, has made calisthenics a popular choice for encouraging fitness across a wide range of environments for strength training.[5]

  1. ^ "Why You Should Try Calisthenics". Cleveland Clinic. 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  2. ^ Muscle, Organically Grown (2020-09-16). "Calisthenics: Build Relative Strength & Flexibility with Bodyweight Training". Organically Grown Muscle. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  3. ^ Mear, Emily; Gladwell, Valerie Frances; Pethick, Jamie (2022-11-07). "The Effect of Breaking Up Sedentary Time with Calisthenics on Neuromuscular Function: A Preliminary Study". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (21): 14597. doi:10.3390/ijerph192114597. ISSN 1660-4601. PMC 9653850. PMID 36361476.
  4. ^ "Calisthenics | EBSCO Research Starters". www.ebsco.com. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  5. ^ Restivo, Jenette (2024-10-03). "Calisthenics: An effective, low-frills way to stay fit". Harvard Health. Retrieved 2025-05-02.

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