The Calisthenics Starter pack
What is Calisthenics?
Calisthenics is a form of training that focuses purely on using your own body weight to grow in strength and muscle. There are a couple ways to get started with calisthenics and some include no equipment at all. Many people do pushups, squats, sit-ups, etc. to train with calisthenics. More advanced calisthenics will include harder movements like pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, various forms of pushups, as well as many other movements that will be discussed further in the article. Calisthenics is a very rewarding as well as fun form training.
#1. Gymnastic Rings
Gymnastic Rings are probably the most essential piece of equipment for calisthenics. This is because of the crazy versatility you get from one pair of rings. Rings offer various movements like pull-ups, dips, chin-ups, any form of push-up, rows. You can also do more complex movements like a muscle up or a front lever. Their versatility makes them perfect for any situation. The only issue I have with gymnastic rings is that they can be somewhat annoying to align as well as to even hang up in the first place. As long as you find a suitable place for the rings like a basketball hoop, a tree, or any other relatively high surface they should work great for you. Rings are so helpful when gaining strength because you have to be able to stabilize. When doing dips on a normal bar they stay completely still but with rings you have to learn to balance and keep yourself and the rings still. This extra factor builds a lot of strength and also helps you to stay dialed into your workout. Personally, rings are my favorite tool when it comes to calisthenics.
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#2. Chalk
Chalk is another essential item for calisthenics especially for beginners. When you first start out your grip strength may be lack luster so the chalk will make it easier to keep going where you previously could not. Chalk helped me a lot when I was first starting out to do more pull-ups and chin-ups even though my grip was not the greatest. It is definitely one of best tools for people who are experienced in calisthenics as well. When learning a new skill like the muscle up it can take a lot of time and over that time your grip strength will weaken and this is wear chalk can be very helpful. I highly recommend this chalk it is very high quality and you get a lot for your money.
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#3. Parallettes
Parallettes are another great tool for training with calisthenics. These are some of the most portable pieces of equipment. They can be used for deep pushups, handstands, planche, etc.
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#4. Wrist Wraps
Wrist wraps can be very helpful for people at all levels of calisthenics. Although when you first begin your wrists will not be used to having so much pressure put on to them. This is why wrist wraps are helpful, they reduce the pressure being put on your wrists. The pressure being put on your wrists can sometimes be painful which is avoided by using wrist wraps. A lot of pressure is being put on your wrists during dips, some push up variations, handstands, and most other pushing exercises. The ones I recommend here are the best that I have used, they are comfortable, light, and all around a great wrist wrap.
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#5. Callous Sander
The callous sander can be a very vital part of calisthenics. As time goes on the callouses you get from hanging on to rings or bars or parallettes will get bigger. At some point they may even tear off which is very painful and will put you on hiatus from training with calisthenics for a little while. The callous sander will let you keep callouses small so that they don’t rip off. A basic nail filer can also be used for this purpose but with one that is a bit rougher it will make it much easier to do it quickly. The one I recommend here has a large surface area which helps to sand the edges of callouses that can be hard to get to with other sanders.
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#6. Support Bands
These bands here are not resistance bands but instead are support bands. This is a tool that can be used to help someone learn new movements or even help with the first couple pull ups. They essentially lessen the amount of work you have to do in order to make it to the top of the pull up. They can help you to learn new movements like the muscle up which is very hard to learn. Support bands are a great tool to have whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or a pro. They range from helping you with your first ever pull up to assisting your first ever muscle up.
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