Body weight and Calisthenics Journey
I have just started a video series of my journey using body weight exercises and calisthenics. I am going to be documenting my progress as well as showing you what I am doing along side this to hopefully make me better not only at the Calisthenic elements but also mobility, strength and general health. This blog will also run alongside the videos to hopefully give a better understanding of what I am trying to show.
First video is below:
So, what is Calisthenics? Wikipedia, the source of all definitions, states:
Calisthenics are exercises consisting of a variety of gross motor movements; often rhythmical and generally without equipment or apparatus. They are, in essence, body-weight training. They are intended to increase body strength, body fitness, and flexibility, through movements such as pulling or pushing oneself up, bending, jumping, or swinging, using only one’s body weight for resistance; 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 psychomotor skills such as balance, agility and coordination.
I was first introduced to calisthenics by Tom Crudgington and his team at Body Development, Bath. Tom and his team run a personal trainer mentorship called the AOM (Appreciation Of Movement) in which a group of personal trainers including myself would learn about different training methods, nutrition and business. During the AOM we used all sorts of different training styles from Wushu, punch out, stretch and sculpt to what I am focusing on which is body weight training and calisthenics. Throughout the AOM we would work with Alex Quinn -who would do a section on the bars, rings, movement flow and handstands. It was amazing to see personal trainers including myself finding this a difficult workout.
After finishing the AOM mentorship at the end of 2016 I wanted to continue the calisthenic and body weight training and was luck that Alex Quinn had partnered up with Jonathan Last to create Movement Method. I attend a Movement Method workshop once every 2 months so that I can firstly make sure I am doing things correctly, be taught new progressions and learn the necessary skills to be able to teach this style of training to my clients at home.
So I hope you enjoy following this journey and hopefully sometime soon I will be able to upload a free standing handstand video and the journey to that point.