After reading on these forums for the past several days I've been inspired to go for calisthenics!! This is a huge transition from my previous 2 years of bodybuilding/strength training. I know this sounds stupid and I probably know the answer but just for some reassurance can calisthenics get you lean and ripped..? Anyways I'm 5"7 140lbs 12 max pullups 15max dips 40 max pushups 13 max chins and I'm around 10-12% bf I think anyways Calisthenics is a completely different mind set then weights I see. Any advice and help would be very appreciated , like the basics of training with calisthenics vs weights and maybe even an example routine:)

Of course it can, here is the video of guy who changed his body with calisthenics after weight training.




But you can combine calis and weights (LittleBeastM does, for example, and he is pretty famous in bar-world and calis community (http://www.facebook.com/little.beastm)). For example, in your rest days after gym you can do calis.

By the way, you have very good bar-community in
Israel (http://www.facebook.com/groups/barstarzzisrael/).

Yea i understand mushu505 i used to strictly weight lift too and was worried also. It started when i saw the Bar-barians vids on youtube 09rain, friend said to me you could prob do these moves i tried a muscle up and failed all moves, i slowly incorporated more and more calisthenics into my weightlifting routine till i was the only one in the gym with rings and vest. Till i met and trained with the Bar-barians in person i said i want this strength also, that's the day i stopped weightlifting altogether except for deads/squats variations and geared the efforts i put in weightlifting towards calisthenics only. Glad i made the switch i now test my strength in a few moves only to compare to when i weight lifted before 135lbs, curl 4 reps now 16+ reps, one arm dumbell snatch press 120lbs. now i did the 140lbs. easy, all machines are a joke now no stability maxed out hammer bench 5 -45lb. plates per side reps, i do 4,000 bodyweight squats a week yet can still max the leg press out & 275 for 25-30 reps on free squat. I would have to say the most you will gain is extreme core strength,skill, body awareness, which is needed for anything physical. Goodluck hope this is for you either way train harddd!

Mushu, shalom

I recently published a pretty big post (not in this site) on that topic. A lot of people have that confusion or, rather, need reassurance that one can build muscle by using Calisthenics.

The truth is that it depends on your goals.

Personally, I do Weighted Calisthenics so the difference between that and weight lifting is only in favour of Calisthenics!

I made a pretty big site on that, I'm also updating it pretty much on a weekly basis... in fact, I'm working on a new section as we speak and will probably incorporate it in a few days.

You can see it here: http://bodyweightroutines.wordpress.com/
BTW, at the top you'll see a downloadable option, it's recommended since wordpress doesn't support all colours and tags so many things look a bit broken.

TheDson, ha ha ... That person is Kalvin and he is my friend!
He always sends people to my website and I to him...
We made our sites pretty similar as well.

I also use the same equipment he shows in his videos.
The Sierraexercise Suspension Trainer, Hooks, Bands, Door Attachment and I will get the Squat Harness Soonish.

very useful information on ur site their thks

great site loo. keep us updated on that one. btw whats the neck exercises? would really want to know cause i think thats one of my weak muscles.

If you're talking about Wrestler Bridge then you'll find a link at the Links section.

Not sure what you're referring to.

I do them on a pillow myself

Some people smack their heads staight into a gym ball ... I find it a bit unsafe if i'll be honest.

ou may also want to look at this vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG_OxbwpdBo

tried both of these and it works like a charm.

thanks fpitas, you have saved another man's neck.

Great site, lotts off good information, from completly beginner to very advanced, and all for free
You must have had a lott off work with it.
Again, very good! And keep up the good work.

Well, I didn't "invent" anything.
A lot of is is just organising but indeed, it took several months and I still add more things to it on a weekly basis.