Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF - The Fitness Phantom (2024)

If you are looking for a calisthenics workout plan that is both challenging and fun, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve designed a couple of weekly calisthenics workout routines in this article that will develop your muscular strength, build lean mass, improve balance and flexibility, and help you achieve a better shape.

If you’re a beginner, you can download the first calisthenics workout plan PDF. And if you’re an intermediate, you can download the second one.

But before you download any program, let’s find see why you should do calisthenics and the results you can expect from it.

Contents show

Why Should You Do Calisthenics Workout?

Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF - The Fitness Phantom (1)

Calisthenics exercises are fun, challenging, efficient, and adaptable.

You can do them anywhere you like, such as at home, in the gym, or on the ground.

They are mostly bodyweight exercises and require little to no equipment.

They keep your muscles strong as well as flexible, which allows you to perform different tasks more efficiently.

Calisthenics training teaches you how to use your body weight to increase strength, mobility, and balance, which not only helps in your everyday activities, such as pushing and lifting things but also helps you sit long hours and prevents injuries (as they make you flexible).

Who Can Do This Calisthenics Workout Plan?

You can follow this program if you want to

  • Improve your flexibility, muscle coordination, strength, balance, and body composition.
  • Perform bodyweight exercises with little or no equipment.
  • Burn a good number of calories and increase fat loss.

You shouldn’t do

  • If you have any health issues, such as injuries.
  • If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • If you want to beef up muscle mass like a bodybuilder or gain ultimate strength like a powerlifter.

Beginner Calisthenics Workout Plan (Weekly Routine)

Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF - The Fitness Phantom (2)

This routine will help you build strong, toned muscles and improve your overall strength and fitness level. You’ll be able to perform more difficult calisthenic exercises as well as pull-ups, push-ups, and dips with ease.

Brief info about the workout:

  • Training Frequency a week– 4 days
  • Daily workout duration– 30 to 45 minutes
  • Interval time between sets– 45 seconds to 2 minutes
  • Way to perform exercises: Complete all sets of one exercise before moving on to another.
  • Expected program duration: 12-16 weeks
  • Warm-up: It’s best to perform warm-up exercises for 5 minutes before starting bodyweight strength training.

Schedule

  • Monday – Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves
  • Tuesday – Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes
  • Wednesday – Rest
  • Thursday – Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves
  • Friday – Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes
  • Saturday – Rest
  • Sunday – Rest

Monday – Push Workout and Legs

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
Hindu PushupsUpper Body10 x 2
Bench Dips Chest and Triceps 10 x 2
Triangle PushupTriceps and Chest 10 x 2
Lateral LungesShoulder and Triceps5/side x 2
Shoulder TapsUpper Body10 x 2
InchwormFull Body10-sec x 2
Drop SquatLegs10 x 2
Standing Calf RaiseCalves10 x 2

Tuesday – Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes

Inverted RowBack and Biceps8 x 2
Superman PullBackAMRAP
Floor IYT RaisesBack and Rear Delt8 x 2
Chin-upsBiceps and Back 8 x 2
Single-leg Ham BridgeHamstring10/side x 2
Glute KickbackGlute10/side x 2
PlankCore45-sec x 2
Side PlankCore20-sec/side x 2
Reverse CrunchesCore10 x 2

Thursday –Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
Incline PushupChest10 x 2
Standard Push-UpsTriceps and Chest10 x 2
Kneeling Pike PushupsShoulder and Triceps6 x 2
Plank to Tricep ExtensionTricep10 x 2
Bench DipsTriceps10 x 2
Step-upQuads & Glutes15 x 2
Reverse LungeQuads and Hams10 x 2
Calf RaisesCalves10 x 2

Friday –Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
ChinupsBack and BicepsAMRAP
Bear CrawlUpper Body
Assisted PullupsBack and BicepsAMRAP
Floor IYT RaisesBack and Rear Delt10 x 3
Superman PullBack10 x 2
Single-Leg BridgeHamstring10/side x 2
Glute KickbackGlute10/side x 2
10-min Abs WorkoutCore

Beginner Calisthenics Workout Plan PDF

Beginner-Calisthenics-Workout-Routine-PDFDownload

Calisthenics Workout Program For Intermediate

Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF - The Fitness Phantom (3)

Details about the workout:

  • Training Frequency a week– 5 days
  • Daily workout duration– 30 to 45 minutes
  • Interval time between sets– 45 seconds to 2 minutes
  • Way to perform exercises: Perform exercises in a circuit or individually.
  • Expected program duration: 12-16 weeks
  • Warm-up: It’s best to perform warm-up exercises for 5 minutes before starting bodyweight strength training.

Schedule:

  • Monday –Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves
  • Tuesday –Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes
  • Wednesday –Full Body
  • Thursday –Rest
  • Friday –Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves
  • Saturday –Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes
  • Sunday –Rest

Monday – Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
Hindu PushupsUpper Body10 x 2
Standard PushupChest10 x 2
Bar DipsTriceps and Chest10 x 3
Pike Push-UpsShoulder and Triceps10 x 3
Bench DipsTriceps10 x 2
Cursty LungesQuads10 x 2
Standard SquatQuads15 x 2
Step-upQuads and Hams10 x 2
Standing Calf RaisesCalves15 x 2

Tuesday –Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
PullupsBack and Biceps10 x 3
Inverted RowBack and Biceps10 x 3
ChinupsBiceps and Back10 x 3
45-Degree Hip ExtensionHamstring10 x 3
Single-Leg RDLHamstring and Glute10 x 2
Glutes BridgeGlute10 x 2
15-minute Core WorkoutCore

Wednesday –Full Body

5-minutes Warm-up

ExerciseActivity
Jumping Jacks15-sec
High knees30-sec
Mountain Climber20-sec
Burpees10 reps
Shoulder Tap10 taps/side
Jump Squat10 reps

30-minute Strength Workout

ExerciseReps
Lateral Squat10 x 2
Wide Arm Pushup10 x 2
Bar Dips15 x 2
Bulgarian Split Squat10/side
Pike Pushup10 x 2
Back and Forth Lunges10/side
Pullup15 x 2
Pistol Squat10/side
Floor IYT Raises8 x 2
Chinups15 x 2
Hanging Leg Raise10 x 2
Plank1-2 min

10-min Cool Down Stretching

ExerciseActivity
Bird Dog Pose10-sec/side x 2
Downward Facing Dog30-sec x 2
Upward Facing Dog30-sec x 2
Seated Bend Forward30-sec x 2
Standing Bend Forward30-sec x 2

Friday – Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, Quadriceps, and Calves

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
Archer PushupChest and Triceps20 x 2
Narrow Grip PushupChest and Triceps 20 x 2
Wall Handstand Push-ups Shoulder and Triceps10 x 2
Bench DipsTriceps10 x 2
Dive Bomber Push-upsShoulder and Chest10 x 2
Sumo SquatQuads20 x 2
Jumping Split SquatQuads15 x 2
Lateral LungesQuads and Hams10 x 2
Standing Calf RaisesCalves10 x 2

Saturday –Back, Biceps, Core, Hamstrings, and Glutes

ExerciseMuscles WorkedReps
Superman PullBack
PullupsBack and Biceps10 x 3
Inverted RowBack and Biceps10 x 3
Elevated Inverted RowsBack and Rear Delt10 x 3
ChinupsBiceps and Back10 x 3
Archer SquatsLegs10 x 3
Lunges to Single Leg RDLLegs10 x 2
Sissy SquatsLegs10 x 2
20-min Core WorkoutCore

Calisthenics Workout Plan Intermediate PDF

Calisthenics-Workout-Plan-Intermediate-PDFDownload

Final Words

Calisthenics is an excellent bodyweight training program that helps improve posture, strength, and body composition without the use of any major training equipment.1 The effects of a calisthenics training intervention on posture, strength and body composition – Isokinetics and Exercise Science

It is a great way to achieve overall fitness, but you need a well-designed and effective workout program.

A good calisthenics workout program helps you work out efficiently and yield maximum results.

That’s why I’ve shared two workout routines in this article, one for beginners and one for intermediate.

So if you’re starting out, follow the first one and if you’ve been working out for a while, follow the latter.

You can also make changes depending on your goal and fitness level. For example, increase or decrease the number of sets, repetitions, interval time between sets, and the number of exercises.

Download the updated PDF

BeginnerIntermediate

References

Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF - The Fitness Phantom (2024)

FAQs

Can you get ripped with just calisthenics? ›

Calisthenics is amazing for building functional, full-body muscle but there is a limit to the amount of sheer mass you can gain with calisthenics. Calisthenics will build as much muscle as free weights to a point, but if you want to push past that point then you'll need to train (and eat) like a bodybuilder.

Is 20 minutes of calisthenics enough? ›

A 20-minute calisthenics workout is enough to build muscle and strength.

Can you get fit from just calisthenics? ›

Absolutely yes. You can get a great build with calisthenics only. Resistance is all the same, whether you get it from lifting weights or leveraging bodyweight training. If the long list of real-life examples above is not enough.

What is the best calisthenic program? ›

Best Calisthenics Routine to Build Strength
  • Push-up. Perform each set to failure. ...
  • Chin-Up. Perform each set to failure. ...
  • Typewriter push-up. Perform each set to failure. ...
  • Smith machine inverted row. Perform each set to failure. ...
  • Close-Grip Push-up. Perform each set to failure. ...
  • Negative pull-up. Perform each set to failure.
Apr 2, 2021

Does calisthenics build muscle faster than weights? ›

Generally speaking, strength training with weights is more effective in terms of muscle building. The reason is simply that the dumbbells offer more room to move upwards, so progress is faster. To explain, in calisthenics, your own body weight is the maximum resistance.

Does calisthenics build testosterone? ›

By performing bodyweight squats, push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups, you can exercise a range of muscles across your body, growing strength and boosting testosterone. And the best thing about these exercises? You can start at home (today!) and gradually work your way up.

What is the 80 20 rule in calisthenics? ›

The 80/20 rule simply means: 80% of the effects come from 20% of the things u do. 20% from exercise. It isn't just about the weight loss but actually about the fat loss and muscle gain.

Is 30 too late for calisthenics? ›

Natural Movements Know No Age: Calisthenics is all about embracing the natural, primal movements of your body. Push-ups, squats, pull-ups – these are movements that humans have been doing for millions of years. And guess what? Your body doesn't forget how to do them just because you've hit 30.

Is calisthenics 3x a week enough? ›

Three to four workouts per week is enough. For example, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. You can also combine them, performing the At-Home workout one day, the Intermediate on another, and the Advanced (if you dare!) on a third day.

What does a calisthenics physique look like? ›

What has become known as the "calisthenics body" is easily identifiable by a rippled, muscular build, erect posture, balanced development, and no superfluous body fat. Say what you will, that's what really gets people talking!

What is the best split for calisthenics? ›

Push/Pull (Legs)

The most popular and in my regard the most efficient split for training calisthenics. You take your full body workout and divide it in 2 separate sessions. One workout made up of all your pushing exercises and the other for the pulling work.

What is the difference between calisthenics and callanetics? ›

Callanetics is a practice involving small, pulse-like movements that require precision and control to teach the muscles how and when to contract to build and hold them tight. Callisthenics aims to use full ranges of movement throughout the body and focuses on developing the body's ability to move holistically.

What are the big 3 calisthenics? ›

The squat, bench and deadlift are 'the king, queen and prince of compound exercises,' says Hendrick Famutimi, a personal trainer and powerlifter. Whether your goal is to build strength, power or size – or simply to move better – they'll get you there.

What is the most used muscle in calisthenics? ›

Which Muscles Do Calisthenics Exercises Work?
  • Upper Body Push: The Press Up. Muscles Worked: Pecs, Delts, Serratus, Triceps. ...
  • Upper Body Pull: The Pull Up. Muscles Worked: Scapula, Lats, Rhomboids, Biceps. ...
  • Lower Body Push: Split Squat. ...
  • Lower Body Pull: Nordics. ...
  • Squat(s) ...
  • Gait: Lunges. ...
  • Rotation: Resistance Bands or Russian Twists.
Nov 17, 2022

Who is the best calisthenic guy? ›

Daniel Hristov is a world-class street calisthenics athlete with several world titles, including winning the world championship in Moscow, Russia in 2021 and winning SWUB and FIBO in 2022.

How long does it take to get ripped with calisthenics? ›

As a newcomer, skinny, but not a beginner in overall fitness, it may take you months to a full year to notice great results. Age is also one variable, and a 20-year-old will have faster results. A background also makes a difference, but it is not the cornerstone.

Can I do calisthenics instead of gym? ›

Calisthenic training is one of the best ways to get and stay fit and strong. You can also build a muscular body and get shredded, training anywhere you can find some space and somewhere to do pull-ups. And it doesn't have to cost you a dime.

Can calisthenics get you a six pack? ›

Yes, calisthenics can indeed help you achieve defined abs. This form of exercise targets various muscle groups, including the core, and promotes overall body strength and fitness (7). Bear in mind that building abs is more than just a matter of exercise.

Why are calisthenics athletes ripped? ›

This is because calisthenics primarily works on more compound exercises. Even with the “isolation” exercises when using rings, you will tend to target more muscle groups compared to doing isolation exercises of weight lifting. Due the more compound-oriented work, muscles develop in a more “natural-looking” physique.

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