What is calisthenics and what are the benefits of practicing it?

You are about to discover a new type of physical activity! Learn what calisthenics is and find out if it is the right practice for you!

Even though it's winter and there are still a little over 5 months until the start of summer, many people are already starting to worry about their bodies and their summer plans.

And it is precisely during this period that gyms start to get more crowded, with people worried about their summer shape.

But we know that, with the rush of everyday life, many people don't have the time – or money – to invest in a gym.

With that in mind, we have prepared special content that can help many people to exercise at home without using equipment such as machines, weights and other accessories that are very common in gyms.

Come and learn more about what calisthenics is and how this modality can help those who want to strengthen their muscles but don't have the time to invest in a gym.

What is calisthenics?

Who said that a physical exercise routine necessarily requires equipment such as dumbbells, weights, bars and other typical gym equipment? 

Calisthenics is here to prove that it is possible to lose weight, gain physical fitness and even build muscle without any of this equipment.

Calisthenics is a training that uses only the person's own weight to obtain the desired results.

Because it is more accessible, this type of practice has been gaining more and more followers around the world.

Calisthenics allows practitioners to train in a more free manner, and can be practiced outdoors, at home, in condominiums, on the beach, in squares, in the backyard and even in your bedroom.

Who is calisthenics recommended for?

In addition to the practicality of calisthenics, another positive point of this training is that it is easy to access and does not have major restrictions.

Of course, there are some more advanced physical exercises that require more advanced physical conditioning and that will be difficult for someone who is just starting out.

But apart from these activities, there are several exercises that can be done by those who are just starting out in calisthenics.

Among the best known are more basic movements – such as squats, push-ups and planks – which can be easily adapted both for those who already have good physical fitness and for those who are still looking to achieve this goal.

This means that calisthenics can be practiced by people of all ages – as long as there is medical clearance.

What are the benefits of calisthenics?

Now that you know a little more about calisthenics and its characteristics, it's time to talk about the main benefits of this practice.

The possibility of exercising different areas of the body at the same time 

One of the main benefits of this type of exercise is the way we learn to better exercise several parts of your body simultaneously.

The vast majority of exercises offer the practitioner the chance to strengthen their entire body by following the correct sequence.

A good calorie expenditure

Remember when we said that calisthenics is a great way to prepare your body and give that boost to your summer project?

This happens because of the caloric expenditure that this practice involves.

With calisthenics, it is possible to achieve a high calorie expenditure both during and after physical activity.

In addition to promoting muscle definition for the practitioner, calisthenics also allows for a greater reduction in body fat.

Benefits for the body

And the benefits for your body go far beyond the aesthetic aspect.

By practicing calisthenics, users can benefit from some advantages for the body in the medium and long term.

Among the benefits that deserve more attention are: increased strength, increased flexibility, a gain in resistance and even an improvement in cardiorespiratory resistance.

Practicality when practicing

And when we talk about the benefits of practicing calisthenics, we cannot fail to highlight the practicality that this type of exercise has.

As we already mentioned in the text, there is no right place for you to take some time to take care of your health and your body.

Just choose a place where you feel comfortable and start your exercise routine.

Check out some calisthenics exercises to help you start training at home

Squat

Here, you should keep your feet hip-width apart. This way, you can support your body weight while performing the squat movement, moving your hips back.

And to avoid problems or injuries during and after exercise, your spine must be straight and your gaze directed forward.

Push-ups

A classic, the push-up should be done by keeping your arms shoulder-width apart and lowering your body until your elbows are at a 90º angle. 

It is very important to keep your abdomen tight throughout the exercise. This will keep your body straight and prevent back injuries.

Remembering that the ideal is that all exercises follow the sequence of 3 sets of 10, with 1 minute of rest between each one.

Triceps bottom 

Rest both hands on a chair – or even a park bench – and then bend your legs slightly in front of your body and bring your feet together.

Next, lower your body until your elbows are at a 90º angle, and then raise it again. Ideally, both hands should be supported at a distance from your buttocks.

Conclusion

So, what did you think about learning a little more about calisthenics? Did you already know about the practice?

But before adopting calisthenics and its exercises in your daily life, it is recommended that you seek a professional to better understand your body and find out if these exercises are really the best option for you.

And besides that, another very important tip is to know how to understand the limits and rhythm of your body and how it is receiving this type of stimulus.

This way, in addition to obtaining all the benefits that calisthenics can provide for your life, you do not overload your body, ensuring greater use of what the practice can provide you.

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