Calisthenics equipment

Retromatic · 19 Jan 2013 at 09:35

I want to get into this, I have a kind of garage gym at the moment which has the floor padded out and Muay Thai pads/heavy bag in there but some space at the back.

I was thinking a power cage (with built in pullup bar) and hang some rope and gymnastic rings from it, maybe a dip attatchment? But I wondered if there was something better/more specific to this type of training?

Retromatic · 20 Jan 2013 at 09:46

No-one? I guess I might just get a cage and hang stuff from that.

If anyone has any other suggestions for any equipment that will help, let me know please - by the end of the year I want to be swinging around in my garage like a stranded monkey in a rainforest.

mrthingyx · 20 Jan 2013 at 10:10

Do you know what calisthenics is?

Because it's essentially body weight-type exercises that (for example) used to form the introduction/warmup to my martial arts classes... I.e. you don't need any specific equipment for it.

If you want to do ring dips and chinups, then do ring dips and chinups.

Retromatic · 20 Jan 2013 at 11:26

mrthingyx said:
Do you know what calisthenics is?

Because it's essentially body weight-type exercises that (for example) used to form the introduction/warmup to my martial arts classes... I.e. you don't need any specific equipment for it.

If you want to do ring dips and chinups, then do ring dips and chinups.

Yes, I do bodyweight exercises in my Muay Thai classes beginning and sometimes end, but I'm still a beginner (only 7 months).

On my off days, I'd like to do calisthenics at home but as a beginner I was wondering if there is some sort of all in one frame (Barstarzz style), I can buy and weight down or would a cage suit my needs?

I didn't really want to put rings in the ceiling of the garage as the kitchen is directly above and these places are built like paper.

icecold · 20 Jan 2013 at 12:16

You want to do pull ups? Buy a pull up bar.

Rings would be better.

Getting a cage and not squatting would be an affront to training and, perhaps more relevantly to you, a waste of money.

KiwiTaff · 20 Jan 2013 at 13:37

I do small amounts of Calisthenics in my overall PT plan.

I just use..:

Pull up bar
Medicine balls for various press-ups / as an anchor for uneven movements in different exercises.
A 40lb packed bergen: Running / Squatting

Those are the things i use, though i do use things like mats / tables / benches as platforms for high incline press-ups and handstands. I suppose it's just making the most of the bare minimum!

Retromatic · 20 Jan 2013 at 13:43

icecold said:
You want to do pull ups? Buy a pull up bar.

Rings would be better.

Getting a cage and not squatting would be an affront to training and, perhaps more relevantly to you, a waste of money.

See what your saying. To be totally honest, I used to squat with a rack but haven't touched weights (of any major significance) since I had an open surgery hernia op, as the pain afterwards was horrific.

Spoken to several different doctors which have all given me completely different opinions on starting weights again - but I think I should be okay now, I mean I'm Thai boxing/bodyweight exercising without any problems.

Maybe I should buy a cage, do 5x5 as a base and just add in bodyweight stuff at the end? Hopefully that sounds more reasonable.

Retromatic · 20 Jan 2013 at 13:45

KiwiTaff said:
I do small amounts of Calisthenics in my overall PT plan.

I just use..:

Pull up bar
Medicine balls for various press-ups / as an anchor for uneven movements in different exercises.
A 40lb packed bergen: Running / Squatting

Those are the things i use, though i do use things like mats / tables / benches as platforms for high incline press-ups and handstands. I suppose it's just making the most of the bare minimum!

Thanks, I do have a pullup bar but only one 6kg medicine ball - could probablly do with some more!

fluffmct · 20 Jan 2013 at 13:53

Check this site out:
https://www.gymnasticbodies.com/forum/forum/28-forums/

Lots of body weight stuff to be at, with and without equipment. Good tutorials on getting a good starting strength - you'll find that joints and tendons take a bit more hammering on body weight stuff so it's best to take your time and do it right.

icecold · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:20

Leviathon said:
See what your saying. To be totally honest, I used to squat with a rack but haven't touched weights (of any major significance) since I had an open surgery hernia op, as the pain afterwards was horrific.

Spoken to several different doctors which have all given me completely different opinions on starting weights again - but I think I should be okay now, I mean I'm Thai boxing/bodyweight exercising without any problems.

Maybe I should buy a cage, do 5x5 as a base and just add in bodyweight stuff at the end? Hopefully that sounds more reasonable.

Sounds like a good plan.

I have nothing at all against bodyweight training btw, provided it's appropriate for your goals.