Most of us know what push-ups, pull-ups and squats are. most of us have included them in our daily training at one time or another. but what if we want to take our bodyweight training to the next level? get into calisthenics.
what is calisthenics?
Calisthenics is a general term for strength training that uses only body weight and minimal external equipment. that’s pushing, pulling, balancing, jumping, bending, and swinging, which, depending on how it’s implemented, can lead to increased strength, fitness, proprioception (balance), and flexibility.
You are reading: Best books on calisthenics
All the classic bodyweight moves you know and love, like push-ups and pull-ups, are under his umbrella, as well as advanced moves you’ll find in gymnastics, like the muscle-up, front lever, and elusive. iron cross, to name just a few.
The term ‘calisthenics’ comes from the Greek words kalós, meaning ‘beautiful’, and sthenos, meaning ‘strength’ . you might discern that as ‘the art of using body weight to build an aesthetically pleasing physique’. That may sound too romantic, but anyone who’s gotten into calisthenics knows that over time it transcends ‘exercise’ and becomes something of an art form. the focus on building an attractive physique isn’t universally important (although it certainly doesn’t hurt that calisthenics can make you look great naked); some are motivated by achieving visually stunning skills, others by the effort and rewards that come with the journey.
Calisthenics has come a long way since the ancient Greeks, evolving far beyond its original purpose: to become the main component of military fitness, rock climbing, gymnastics, an exercise solution for the common man, and even a self-discipline born on the street. …
the rise of street calisthenics
‘street calisthenics’ bridges the gap between a guy doing push-ups in his bedroom and a world-class athlete training for the Olympics. advanced moves have become popular and feasible goals for ordinary people. You no longer need to be a gymnast to achieve high-level skills, just a bit of orientation, consistency, floor space, and possibly a pull-up bar.
While you don’t have to be a gymnast, you do need some gymnastic knowledge (or someone to guide you) to perform a humble push-up to a one-arm handstand. Unlike conventional weight training, progress in calisthenics is much more difficult to measure, and the progressions are much less obvious than simply lifting a heavier dumbbell.
Social media and its influencers have played a huge role in both the popularity of calisthenics and the wealth of knowledge now available. Until now, most information resided in the heads of extreme athletes and top gym coaches. A simple google search, ‘how to make a plank?’, will provide you with countless sources of information and advice, but internet resources are often inconsistent and incomplete. If you’re ready to take calisthenics seriously, there’s nothing better than a carefully considered book to bring it all together.
There are few true bodyweight training sources in book form, but those that do exist are wonderfully effective, informative, and engaging for movement enthusiasts, beginners and experts alike. we can confidently say that we have reviewed all of the notable and well-known ones. Over the years, Jake, our founder, has not only read these books, but has used them as a training resource for months and years. He can read them once and move on, follow a prepared schedule, meticulously build his own routine based on what he learns, or keep them handy as an in-and-out resource for years to come.
here are our top 5 calisthenics books to ensure your next book purchase suits your needs and allows you to take your bodyweight training to the next level.
top 5 calisthenics books for beginners and experts
get strong – al kavadlo & danny kavadlo
for those who: want an easy-to-follow yet effective plan that will take them from beginner to expert
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Not for those who: Have specific movement goals in mind and are looking to build their own routine
get strong is our #1 recommendation for anyone from beginner to intermediate who wants a simple and clear program from start to finish. The format is a 16-week plan that starts with entry-level bodyweight exercises and ends 4 months later with impressive moves like handstand pushups and pistol squats. It’s in an easy-to-read on-the-go format, but includes essential information on other aspects of training, such as warm-up, mindset, and supplemental exercises.
written in the cheerful and enthusiastic kavadlo style with matching images and design.
full calisthenics 2 – ashley kalym
for those who: want to learn more than the basics and seek greater complexity in their training
Not for those who: Want to jump into a program right away without research or preparation
Complete Calisthenics is perhaps the most comprehensive book on bodyweight exercises that does not have a gymnastic focus. this makes it more accessible than Beating Gravity (see below), but it still has great depth. Kalym has a military background, so the foundation is built with conditioning in mind, but there are plenty of advanced isometric moves, like the front stick and the human flag, with detailed descriptions of how to get there. there are some programs included, but the focus is detailed exercise descriptions and clear progressions.
This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of calisthenics and build their own program based on specific goals.
convict conditioning – paul wade
for those who: want to keep things simple and develop some impressive moves without equipment
not for those who: are interested in isometric movements like plank and front lever
convict conditioning is among the original bodyweight training books and was, at least in part, responsible for introducing the concept of progressive calisthenics to relative masses. It has a no-nonsense approach and is rough around the edges, but Wade developed the book in prison after all! the method focuses on 6 movements, each of which consists of 10 progressions to take you from the easiest expression to the most advanced. The last 6 moves vary in difficulty (they are intermediate by gymnastic standards), but will test even experienced bodyweight moves.
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The Convict Conditioning Program is easy to follow and doesn’t require much understanding, but can be limited for those looking to progress across a wide range of skills.
overcoming gravity: a systematic approach to gymnastics & bodyweight strength – steven low
for those who: want maximum complexity, detail and information from a gymnastic approach
not for those who: can’t spend the time to learn or want a simple plan
Overcoming Gravity is a gigantic book both in physical size and detail. is without a doubt the most comprehensive book on calisthenics out there, it reads like a gym textbook leaving no stone unturned. If you want an easy program to follow, Beat Gravity is not for you. is for those who want to invest time and energy in understanding the gymnastic approach to bodyweight exercise, including extensive chapters on human biology, programming, mobility, rehabilitation, and much, much more.
It will take countless hours to extract what you need from this book; It’s complex, to say the least. But aside from hiring a personal gym trainer, this is the best resource you could have to help you on your journey to bodyweight mastery.
street training – al kavadlo
for those who: those who would like to experiment with an anthology of classic and unconventional moves
Not for those who: want a complete training program or detailed information beyond the exercises themselves
It’s in the name, but Street Workout takes the casual, urban approach of calisthenics rather than the approach of clinical gymnastics. collects common bodyweight exercises, gymnastic moves, and moves invented in modern street calisthenics in one place, so you can easily add new and exciting exercises to your workout. street training is informative but a lot of fun – we’ve found it to be a great addition to training in the park, where everyone is always looking for the next alternate variation of push-ups or pull-ups.
Since programming is limited, street training is best used as an adjunct to getting hard or convict conditioning, or alternatively for anyone who has a good bodyweight foundation and wants to expand their vocabulary in a casual way. and fun.
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Have we missed your favorite calisthenics book? if so, let us know and if we deem it worthy, we’ll add it to the list.
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