Why Calisthenics?


I didn't hate the gym. In fact, for a while, I loved it. 

I followed split routines, tracked my lifts and chased my PRs like everyone else. Somewhere along the way however, it started to feel like a chore. I was going through the motions - machines, weights, rest and repeat. 

My progress slowed and my motivation dipped. Those incremental gains each week that I previously celebrated didn't feel the same as they once did and I no longer found myself excited about training.

Then I stumbled across a video of someone doing calisthenics in park. 

They were performing exercises I'd never heard of or really thought possible except for elite gymnasts; muscle ups, front levers, handstand push ups. It wasn't just raw strength, it was balance, control, flow. This video was my first introduction to calisthenics and completely flipped my perspective of what fitness could look like.

Calisthenics offered something I didn't know I was missing. 

It was raw and minimal. No need for expensive gym memberships, tonnes of different machines and weights and complicated routines. Just me, my body and gravity. All that is needed is a pull up bar or something to hang off. The simplicity was freeing, but the challenge and the need for creativity is what got me hooked.

So I made a shift. A big one.

I cancelled my gym membership.. and bought some scaffolding.

Most people have treadmills or multi gym machines as a home gym but here I was clamping used, rusty scaffolding pipes together like some DIY ninja warrior. But you know what? It worked. Still works and has been standing for the last 8 years and having used all the best branded gym equipment, its this old scaffolding frame I have looked forward to using the most.

Honestly, its the best I've felt  training. 

No Hiding in Calisthenics

What hit me fast was how humbling to your ego calisthenics is. You think you're strong until you try a slow, strict pull up or trying holding an L sit. It exposes all your weaknesses - shoulder mobility, core strength and even excess weight- things that weight training allows you to ignore and would never get addressed otherwise.

That is why I love calisthenics. It forces you to face what your body can't do yet. No ego, no shortcuts. Just raw movement and honesty.

The Gym was Never Really It for Me

To be real, I have struggled with social anxiety at times of my life and especially in the gym. Crowded places, waiting for equipment and constantly feeling like people were watching me or silently judging - it made me tense. I'd sometimes cut sessions short or avoid them altogether.

Now I'm not saying don't face your fears and not go to the gym if thats a problem you have, I believe you should face all your fears in order to grow.

However, personally I love the solitude and open air where you can train in calisthenics. Not having to worry about what people are doing around you. Headphones on, play around on the bars and get stronger in the process.

Final thoughts

Calisthenics gave me back my love for training. It stripped away the noise and made movement feel good again. I'm no longer chasing numbers - I'm chasing progress that feels real, more tangible and hopefully should have more to show for it.

If you've been feeling stuck in the gym or need another element to add in to your training, give it a shot. You might be surprised how much your body and mind need it.