As a notion, weighted calisthenics might seem like a bit of a paradox. Since the foundation of calisthenics is training with nothing but one’s own body weight, this makes perfect sense. So, where do weighted calisthenics fit in? What is calisthenics? What makes it so popular among athletes, and why should you think about including it in your routine? Learn more about this training method and get some tips on how to make rapid gains from this post.
What’s the Point of Doing Weighted Calisthenics?
Basic calisthenics is more challenging to scale and progress because you have to change the exercise or the interpretation to increase intensity. Regular weight training makes it easy to progressively overload the muscles by lifting heavier and heavier loads as you gain strength. Weighted calisthenics bridges the gap between the two by facilitating seamless scalability.
Weighted calisthenics also improves your ability to use your own body weight as resistance. When switching to bodyweight exercises, such as weighted pull ups, strength training with weights may make you feel strong and light.
Weighted calisthenics can be an effective and beneficial addition to your strength training routine if you want to build muscle and strength. Adding weight can be the key to progress because exercises become more about endurance after 15-20 reps and less about building muscle.
If you feel comfortable performing simple calisthenics moves without weight, challenge yourself further by introducing heavy dumbbells or kettlebells as resistance tools for additional progress. Getting used to the new weight might take some time, but once you get going, benefits await you.
How to Progress in Weighted Calisthenics?
The key to getting stronger is progressive overload, which involves gradually increasing exercise intensity week by week to stimulate muscle growth. Here are some tips for implementing progressive overload into your strength training routine:
- Establish clear workout goals for each session, and make sure to reach those before moving on to the next. Then, incrementally increase those goals in the next session to keep progressive overload effective.
- Increase intensity by lifting heavier weights or attempting more repetitions, or shorten rest time between sets to bump up the intensity of a workout.
- By forcing your muscles out of their comfort zone, the progressive overload will help you get stronger and adapt, leading to better results in the long run. Start implementing these tips into each workout session, and watch your strength increase.
5×5, One Rep Max, and Pyramid Training for Strength Gains
Building strength and muscle mass with weighted calisthenics is a fantastic exercise. It’s a bodyweight exercise where you include weights to increase the difficulty of your training. According to Calisthenics Worldwide, an evidence-based professional educational platform for athletes, there are many different training styles for weighted calisthenics, each providing unique challenges and benefits.
The 5×5 method is completing an exercise five times with the same weight in each set, aiming for five repetitions. By encouraging you to exert more effort than you would with traditional methods, this training method maximizes strength increases and muscle development.
The 1RM method is intended for those who desire to test their maximal lifting ability by trying the heaviest weight feasible for only one repetition. Depending on your goals, this training methodology can be used individually or with other techniques.
Pyramid training, which involves gradually raising the weight while reducing the repetitions (for instance, 12x20kg, 10x25kg, and so on), is another popular weighted calisthenics strategy. The theory behind this technique is that adding weight gradually would improve your strength more efficiently than if you were utilizing a single static weight throughout each training session.
The last option is reverse pyramid training, which applies the same techniques as the pyramid but begins with heavier weights and aims for more repetitions (12x30kg > 10x25kg > 8x20kg). As a result, your muscles get exhausted after each round, which might boost the intensity of your exercises. Due to its great intensity, it should only be performed rarely, as overtraining might result if done improperly.
To Conclude
Weighted calisthenics offers an effective and enjoyable way to reach fitness goals faster and smarter. By using weighted exercises, athletes can challenge themselves in new ways while developing balance, coordination, and core strength. This type of exercise is a great way to take your fitness journey to the next level and unlock your potential.
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