When it comes to building strength and muscle, most people flock to the gym. Gym training is an effective way to build the body of your dreams, with exercises like leg presses, bench presses, deadlifts, lat pulldowns, and squats. However, there are downsides to gym training. Memberships can be costly, and you may find yourself tied into a contract that you can’t cancel even if you stop going. Travel time to and from the gym can also eat up a significant portion of your day.
The good news is that you don’t have to train in a gym if you don’t want to. In fact, you can get a great workout using nothing more than your body weight. In this article, we reveal the five biggest reasons for dropping the gym and doing calisthenics instead.
Calisthenics is another word for bodyweight training, and it comes from the ancient Greek words for beauty and strength. Evidence shows that ancient armies and martial dynasties used calisthenics to improve their fitness and health.
Most calisthenics exercises require no equipment, so your body becomes your gym. There are several types of calisthenics, but basic/progressive calisthenics is probably the most accessible. The exercises are easy to master, and you can do them on your own, making it the perfect excuse-free workout.
The top five reasons you should ditch the gym in favor of calisthenics are:
1. Convenience and time-saving: You can do calisthenics almost anywhere and anytime. You only need enough space to lie down and, if you want to do pull-ups and chin-ups, a bar, branch, or beam from which to hang. This means you never have to miss a workout again.
2. Builds functional and relative strength: Calisthenic exercises involve natural movements and build the type of strength that makes you more useful outside of the gym.
3. Can get you shredded: Compound exercises burn many more calories than isolation exercises, so calisthenic training automatically increases your caloric expenditure per workout.
4. Improves body awareness: Calisthenic exercises require you to control every muscle and joint in your body, improving your athletic performance and strengthening your entire body.
5. Less joint stress and fewer injuries: Calisthenic exercises are often much safer than many gym exercises, as they are easier on your spine and less likely to cause injuries.
In conclusion, calisthenic training is one of the best ways to get and stay fit and strong. It builds real-world fitness and strength that you can use in almost any setting. Plus, you don’t need expensive equipment or gym memberships to get started.
