Not too long ago, I wrote an article about the pathetic state of calisthenics parks aka parcourse in the area. Well, no need to worry about that anymore. I was going about my morning routine the other day when I was rudely greeted by this.

The weird thing was that I was just at this park a few weeks ago filming my promotional video for MEELectronics. *Please vote for us by "Liking" the video on YouTube!*

I can't help but think that perhaps it was I who contributed to the demise of the park with my moves. Then again, I was merely doing what the equipment should have been intended for... had it actually been maintained properly. Good thing I wasn't actually working my magic when it collapsed! Then again, I could have sued the city for millions! Darn... missed opportunities are the story of my life.

To top if off, I got accosted by a homeless dude for infringing on his territory. The local parks and recreation will be receiving an e-mail shortly.

I usually reserve this space to generate my own content, but today I came across a simple, yet to the point article that really hammers home the benefits of calisthenics. There is a reason why the movement for bodyweight training has blown up recently, and will only continue to do so in the near future and beyond.

Top 6 Reasons Why Bodyweight Calisthenics Are Important

by Coach Eddie Lomax

When I look at many popular physical fitness training programs I am often shocked at the overwhelming absence of bodyweight calisthenics exercises.

Do you really need a costly gym membership and access to all the shiny machines or expensive equipment and magic powders to improve strength, conditioning and fitness?

Absolutely not!

Bodyweight calisthenics exercise is one of the most versatile, effective and beneficial training methods available to both the serious athlete and non-professional fitness enthusiast.

1. Bodyweight Calisthenics Can Be Done Anywhere

You don't need expensive gym memberships or costly equipment to benefit from bodyweight calisthenics... you have everything you need right here and now.

Indoors or out... there are a multitude of bodyweight calisthenics exercises that you can perform to greatly improve strength, conditioning and fitness. 

2. Bodyweight Calisthenics Are The Perfect Place To Start

If you are just starting a physical fitness training program... bodyweight calisthenics are the perfect place to start.

Bodyweight calisthenics will prepare you with a physical base from which to effectively and safely add more advanced resistance training.

Learn how to control the weight of your own body first before exploring other training methods.

3. Bodyweight Calisthenics Can Be Adapted For Any Fitness Level

There are many variations to bodyweight calisthenics exercises... giving you the ability to make them easier or harder.

This is why they are great for beginners as well as seasoned fitness enthusiasts.

4. Bodyweight Calisthenics Train Natural Body Movements

Often, resistance training methods do not directly improve movement patterns that are naturally used in everyday life... but this is not the case with bodyweight calisthenics.

Fitness excellence is often measured by your ability to control the movements of your own body... and not your ability to control the movement of an object.

Train the way you naturally move to see more physical improvements applicable in the real world.

5. Bodyweight Calisthenics Can Improve Muscular Strength, Power And Endurance

Depending on the exercises used, the reps and sets and the intensity... you can effectively target strength, power and endurance separately or collectively.

Vary rarely are the challenges of sport, work and life one dimensional... but rather a combination of strength, power and endurance weaved together.

Bodyweight calisthenics are a great way to train all three and the seamless flow from one ability to another.

6. Bodyweight Calisthenics Can Simultaneously Improve Strength And Cardiorespiratory Endurance While Burning Fat

When most of us participate in a fitness training program we want to improve strength and cardiorespiratory endurance... and simultaneously burning off unwanted fat.

Bodyweight calisthenics can do all three... in the same workout.

By varying the exercises, stresses and intensities of your workouts you can effectively and efficiently get stronger, better conditioned and leaner.

Conclusion...

Don't let the simplicity of bodyweight calisthenics fool you... they are one of the best tools you have for the improvement of strength, conditioning and fitness.

And just because they look simple does not mean they are easy or ineffective... just try a one-armed push up, one-armed pull up of one-legged squat if you don't believe me.

Bodyweight calisthenics exercise should be the foundation for any physical training program... It is the perfect place to start, and should remain an important part of your fitness workout program as you add more training methods.

For those who practice calisthenics, you have likely looked up in awe at the acrobats from internationally famous troupes such as Cirque Du Soleil. What makes them even more remarkable is the sheer amount of training they must partake in on a daily basis, let alone the actual nightly performances in front of hundreds if not thousands of spectators.

If they were to listen to the general principles of sets and reps preached in normal fitness circles, they would surely be overtraining. However, with calisthenics being a more natural training system involving only your own bodyweight, the human body can more easily adapt, greatly decreasing the possibility of injury.

Like many who are now strictly into calisthenics, I was once an avid weightlifter going through the normal trials and tribulations at the gym. Over the years, I sustained many minor aches and pains hoisting up those artificial, metallic, manmade creations. Things were going decently well, but I was looking for something more enjoyable, more effective, and above all, more fulfilling.

About five years ago, I started doing parkour, but still pumped the iron as my main source of strength training. It wasn't quite ready to forgo the gym completely.

However, one day, it all just clicked. After viewing countless parkour and calisthenics training videos over time, I had seen enough to make me a believer. I gave up going to my once beloved gym cold turkey, and as they say, ain't never turning back! It's also no coincidence that most of the nagging injuries have all gone by the wayside. I haven't picked up a single iron weight for quite some time now, and I plan to keep it that way for the foreseeable future.

Here is just a sampling of some amazing videos I have recently come across. Prepare to be mesmerized and inspired at the same time. Obviously, these are the big time professionals, and most of us would be happy to perform 1/10 of the tricks they do, but one can't help but be motivated by merely watching.

Put away the dumbbells. This is what real strength is all about.

Ido Portal makes it look so effortless. If you have a chance to attend one of his workshops, don't pass it up!

Willy Weldens is a famous acrobat from France, where he has his own show. If he ever comes Stateside, I'll be the first in line for tickets.

Alternative Circus is one of many amazing circus troupes from the Ukraine.

I have no idea who these guys are, or where they're from, but simply prepare to pick up your jaw after it drops to the floor.

Encho Keryazov, undoubtedly is one of the strongest pound for pound individuals on the planet. Then again, is he even human?

I had the pleasure of witnessing the Alexis Brothers in action as part of Mystère in Las Vegas. Needless to say, I was quite in awe. With this clip here, they are fittingly at the Arnold Classic bodybuilding show, letting everyone in attendance know what, REAL, functional muscle is supposed to look like!

Oh, and last but not least, this guy isn't too shabby! ;-)

Wow, all these videos are getting me pumped up. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be at the park if you need me.