Ultimate Calisthenics Workout Plan with PDF (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 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.

Is it OK to do full body calisthenics everyday? ›

If your goal is strength-based, then it may not be wise to train every day because this could lead to overtraining. If your goal is skill-based (such as performing handstand), then it's possible that you can train every day without any issues at all.

Why are calisthenics guys so lean? ›

'Calisthenics exercises target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, resulting in a more toned and defined physique. With consistent training, you can build lean muscle mass and improve your body composition.' 'Calisthenics workouts often involve compound movements that work multiple muscle groups at once.

Is 20 minutes of calisthenics enough? ›

You'll be pleased to hear that short sessions of calisthenics work are definitely worth it. You can make measurable progress with your strength, fitness, or skills goals without spending longer than 30 minutes per session. In fact, if all you've got is 5 minutes during the day, you can get results.

How many reps is too much calisthenics? ›

If strength and power is your aim, Veal recommends one to five repetitions per set at a higher intensity (around 85-100 per cent of one-rep max). If you're trying to build size, up it to 8-12 repetitions per set at a moderate intensity (around 65-85 per cent of one-rep max).

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.

Can you be too big for calisthenics? ›

Will my weight hold me back? In Calisthenics we're fundamentally using our body weight as the resistance. If you are bigger or you have excess weight, it is going to be slightly harder, but please don't let that put you off because you can use progressions to safely learn all the fundamental exercises.

What happens if you only do calisthenics? ›

Yes, calisthenics can definitely replace the gym – which is great news for your budget and your time management! Calisthenics is such a great way to build strength, gain muscle, and stay active. It trains every body part and muscle group, and will help you develop an athletic and balanced physique.

Should I train full body or split calisthenics? ›

It depends on goals and your experience. Beginners and lifters coming back from a layoff are best doing full body workouts. A split won't hurt but you don't need a lot of volume to get results.

Can you build muscle with just calisthenics? ›

Basic calisthenic exercises are good for building muscle, but static elements and skills may not be as effective. These calisthenics movements require a lot of body awareness and involve your core muscles but are missing concentric and slow eccentric movements.

Can you get fit with calisthenics alone? ›

The simple and short answer is “yes, of course you can”. The longer answer to building muscle with calisthenics needs some more detail and context as to why, how and, we'd also question whether building muscle should or shouldn't be your goal.

Will I lose muscle if I only do calisthenics? ›

Will I Lose Muscle If I Switch To Calisthenics? No, you will not. As explained above, calisthenics works just as well as weightlifting in building both muscle mass and strength. As long as you keep pushing yourself while working out – and eat enough protein to support muscle growth, you will gain strength and mass.

Can you get cut with calisthenics? ›

One thing that always amazed me about calisthenics and bodyweight training is how both naturally normalize and regulate your body fat levels and let you build muscles that are lean. So yes, you can lose weight and build muscle at the same time with calisthenics, but the KEY is the RIGHT PROGRAMMING.

References

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