4 Best Calisthenics Books in 2024
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
Calisthenics (Greek: kallos ‘beauty’ + sthenos ‘strength’) is an umbrella term for exercises we all know and perform now and then. Push-ups, pull-ups, and squats are a few to name.
Our body weight is a great form of resistance to build strength and stamina. However, professional guidance can take your humble workouts to an advanced level. Yes, we’re talking about off-the-floor, eyebrow-raising handstands and planches. It doesn’t mean signing up for any program because these best calisthenics books contain everything you need to know, from hard-earned lessons to clear-cut techniques.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength.
Convict Conditioning, based on Paul Wade’s experience during 23 years of incarceration, reveals the raw strength principles embraced by prisoners who confront life-and-death situations daily, offering a unique perspective on fitness and emphasizing true ability over superficial appearance.
Top 4 Best Calisthenics Books Reviewed
- Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength – Top Pick
- Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength ( Second Edition) – Runner-Up
- Complete Calisthenics, Second Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Exercise – Best For Experts
- Calisthenics for Beginners: Step-by-Step Workouts to Build Strength at Any Fitness Level – Best For Beginners
| Product | Total | Author’s Expertise | Training Transfer | Readability | Material and Binding | Price/ Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convict Conditioning | 49 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Overcoming Gravity | 48.5 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
| Complete Calisthenics | 48.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Calisthenics For Beginners | 47.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 9 | 9.5 |
1. Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength – Top Pick
- Author: Paul Wade
- Themes: Strength, Progression, Goal Setting
- How it can help: By providing a to-the-point bodyweight training system that anyone can pick up.
- For whom: Beginners to Professionals
- Formats: Paperback, Kindle
- No. of Pages: 320
- Publisher: Dragon Door Publications
- Year of Publication: 2012
Who do you think deals with a life-and-death question every day? Athletes? Navy SEALs? This book says: prisoners! It’s brutal inmates that trigger the survival-of-the-fittest law. After navigating 23 years of incarceration, Paul Wade discovered rules of raw strength that flashy workouts overshadow. “Gym junkies today are all about appearance, not ability,” as he puts it! On page 20, he expresses his frustration with the industry’s current direction by “wanting to head to San Quentin and bang on the gate to go straight back in.”
Despite the unnecessary rant, Convict Conditioning is one of the all-time best books on calisthenics. It was the first to introduce progression. Big Six includes push-ups, squats, pull-ups, leg raises, bridges, and handstand push-ups. Each has its own chapter and ten variations, with the first being an amateur attempt while the master step challenges seasoned gymnasts too. You won’t have isometric movements like front levers and planches because the author is against isolation, whether through weightlifting or any other medium.
Convict Conditioning, a groundbreaking book on calisthenics, introduces the concept of progression and offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the Big Six exercises, providing ten variations for each to cater to all fitness levels.
Positives:
Could be better:
2. Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength ( Second Edition) – Runner-Up
- Author: Steven Low
- Themes: Physiology, Customization, Injury Prevention
- How it can help: By answering all whys and hows of calisthenics, helping you forge your routine.
- For whom: Beginners to Professionals
- Formats: Paperback, Spiral-bound
- No. of Pages: 590
- Publisher: Battle Ground Creative
- Year of Publication: 2016
OG will always be counted among the best calisthenics books because it leaves no stone unturned. The 600-page tome takes you from premise to theory to practice. Nobody can single-handedly compose it unless they're a former gymnast, certified trainer, and doctor of physical therapy. Here you have it; the introduction of Steven Low. Reading it cover-to-cover is a brain-teasing task for non-nerds due to lengthy textbooks and technical details. “The goal of Overcoming Gravity is to teach you how to construct effective routines.”
The second edition is well-planned with takeaway points, modified charts, 3D images, and layperson explanations. It's divided into five parts. Early chapters delve into physiology and the foundation of strength training, such as SAID Principal. The second and third parts are the heart of this book, letting you plan cycles, cross-train, and customize workout routines. Take the last two parts as a go-to resource that you'll revisit on hitting injuries, stress, or plateaus. The glossary of exercises at the end is truly a work of art.
The 600-page tome takes you from premise to theory to practice. Nobody can single-handedly compose it unless they're a former gymnast, certified trainer, and doctor of physical therapy.
Positives:
Could be better:
3. Complete Calisthenics, Second Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Exercise – Best For Experts
- Author: Ashley Kalym
- Themes: Advanced Techniques, Progression, Nutrition
- How it can help: By explaining as many advanced bodyweight movements as possible.
- For whom: Intermediates and Professionals
- Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Spiral-bound
- No. of Pages: 332
- Publisher: North Atlantic Books
- Year of Publication: 2019
If you want to kick your calisthenic game up a notch, this no-BS guide is made for you. Kalym comes from a military and sports background. Therefore, he explores more of a parkour side of calisthenics. You’ll see moves for not only strength but mobility and muscle-building as well. Most of the time, a picture beats a word salad. With more than 500 descriptive images, you’ll understand and incorporate each exercise without much hassle. Be mindful that the author assumes you already know how to pick and choose from the given assortment.
It includes rare advanced stunts, such as doing a human flag, front lever, and core development. Many ring exercises are brought up with anatomical accounts. Kalym has shared his personal diet plans. Most bodyweight workout books discuss training hours only. However, nutrition, rest, and recovery make an equal mainstay in Complete Calisthenics. One callout persists even in the latest edition, which is the paucity of leg training. The importance of lower-body engagement is continuously apprised but not fairly recompensed.
If you want to kick your calisthenic game up a notch, this no-BS guide is made for you. Kalym comes from a military and sports background
Positives:
Could be better:
4. Calisthenics for Beginners: Step-by-Step Workouts to Build Strength at Any Fitness Level – Best For Beginners
- Author: Matt Schifferle
- Themes: Motivation, Progression, Goal Setting
- How it can help: By taking novices one step at a time to an introductory journey of calisthenics.
- For whom: Beginners
- Formats: Paperback, Kindle
- No. of Pages: 162
- Publisher: Rockridge Press
- Year of Publication: 2020
Matt can be a tutor of rocket science at kindergarten. He has an innate ability to imprint complicated ideas in a straightforward manner. That’s why no other bodyweight training book geared for absolute beginners can come close to his prowess. The short reference manual is a mix of words and colored graphics, putting together an easy-to-follow plan. Many choose to limit newcomers to a handful of movements. But this pick features almost 40 dynamic exercises with progressions, variations, and modifications to keep them fun.
The founder of Red Delta and owner of a fifth-degree black belt maintains three levels, dubbed Stay Strong, Go Deeper, and Power Up. The correspondent pages are color-coded to help you jump through the workout intensity. Another unique approach is defining exercises by virtue of muscle activation. For example, hips, knees, heart, etc! The introduction is neatly put together. It quickly talks about safety, precautions, setup, diet, and goal-setting so you don't feel stranded. Anyways, it avoids judgment and sticks to science.
The short reference manual is a mix of words and colored graphics, putting together an easy-to-follow plan.
Positives:
Could be better:
3 Core Reasons Why Calisthenics Books Are Valuable
Calisthenics is the oldest discipline. Roman gladiators and Spartan soldiers weren't swinging barbells. The weight revolution of the mid-1900s engulfed media attention and buried it. Calisthenics can adjust your body composition and posture. It boosts muscle strength and thickness with progression techniques. And the cardiometabolic response of HIIT bodyweight training is chiefly downplayed. With the rise of street-borne shows, it has fortunately resurfaced in recent times.
✅ Reliable Guidance
A single search-engine query will show plenty of videos and guides. However, the proper map only resides in the minds of top-level athletes and coaches. A calisthenics workout book is key to this reliable and rare information.
✅ Theory and Techniques
Books connect all dots of the path ahead. What doesn't work in theory wouldn't work in practice. Therefore, you're left with the most effective and proven ways. Additionally, having a fool-proof program avoids mishaps and injuries.
✅ Progress Tracking
A benefit, not often talked about, is the availability of information and tools regarding periodization. Not only do they assist you while tailoring routines and setting goals, but they also keep measuring your progress.
4 Steps How to Choose the Right Calisthenics Book
A bodyweight training book can be judged through two dimensions: content quality and overall construction.
1. Author's Background
Research the author's credentials and expertise beforehand. It plays a vital part in the efficacy of the program. Biographical snippets provide insights about the writer's own experiences and achievements.
2. Training Transfer
Transferability is the ratio of the implementable chunk. Don't mind science lessons, but most of them should talk about exercises. Select a book according to your fitness and physique goals.
3. Readability
High-quality materials and binding increase the lifespan. Design layout, writing style, and structure affect the readability of the content. Some authors invent unique terminology that warrants a sequential reading.
4. Price/Quality
Determine your budget. Kindle ebooks are your friend. They are cheap and permanent. Spiral-bound versions are pricey but easy to fold. Hardcovers generally cost the maximum.
FAQ
Is 30 Minutes of Calisthenics Enough?
A half-hour calisthenics session can be more than enough for your needs. Harvard Health estimates it burns 135-189 calories at a moderate and 240-360 calories at a vigorous pace. However, programs as brief as six-minute long have also been advised to fight the plague of a sedentary lifestyle.
Which Is the Best Calisthenic Program?
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all program for everybody. It depends on your goals and skills. Regardless, these tips will come in handy. Warm up with light-intensity sets. Perform two or three hard sets, afterward. When you’ve reached a rep target, dial up the difficulty level. A minimum of 48-hour rest is encouraged between two sessions of the same exercise.
Conclusion
Calisthenic aficionados are confident and cheerful. Convict Conditioning is the most sought-after work from the best calisthenics books library. It bluntly teaches you how to amass survival strength and become an elite. You might favor other writings, depending on your skill level and goals. But Paul Wade’s old-school approach is suitable for an average person starting out.
What do you think is an arduous calisthenic task, getting started or skipping to an advanced level? Feel free to drop your opinion in the comment section.
Also read:
- Best Books About Fitness
- Best Books About Bodybuilding
- Best Books for Strength Training
- Best Powerlifting Books
- Best Books for Personal Trainers
References:
- SAID principle // Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAID_principle
- The effects of a calisthenics training intervention on posture, strength and body composition // Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/317321468_ The_effects_of_a_calisthenics_ training_intervention_on_ posture_strength_ and_body_composition
- Effect of Progressive Calisthenic Push-up Training on Muscle Strength and Thickness // LWW: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2018/03000 /Effect_of_Progressive _Calisthenic_Push_up _Training.9.aspx
- The Acute Physiological and Perceptual Responses Between Bodyweight and Treadmill Running High-Intensity Interval Exercises // Frontiersin: https://www.frontiersin.org/ articles/10.3389/fphys. 2022.824154/full
- Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights // Harvard: https://www.health.harvard.edu /diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
- Protocol for Minute Calisthenics: a randomized controlled study of a daily, habit-based, bodyweight resistance training program // Biomedcentral: https://bmcpublichealth. biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09355-4
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Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Oleksiy Torokhtiy is a professional athlete boasting 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. With multiple European and World titles under his belt, he has showcased his prowess in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Upon concluding his illustrious career, Oleksiy dedicated himself to coaching. By 2022, he had conducted over 200 weightlifting seminars worldwide. He is the visionary behind an international sportswear and accessories brand known for its motto, “Warm Body Cold Mind.” Additionally, he is an esteemed author and the creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
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