Progressive Calisthenics Disadvantages
When looking at any system, belief, or problem-solving tool it’s important to look at any holes or shortfalls. In the Corps, this was known as a “Critical vulnerability” or something that could stop you from completing your mission. When it comes to fitness certain training modalities have their shortfalls and although Calisthenics are a great way to train they are not free from them.
Leg Strength
The leg strength gained through calisthenics in certain ways will never come close to what can be attained with heavy squats, heavy sled pushes/drags, or pushing against an immovable object for amazing results. You will be limited in what you can accomplish. The limiting factors that arise with calisthenics are one’s mobility, joint integrity, and balance. In order to level up these three will serve more of a factor than any other calisthenics movement you do throughout your body.
But still, take what I say with a grain of salt. There are still areas of unilateral leg strength I have not reached yet. One day I would like to experiment with leg training similar to what you see in Russian cossack dancing.
“Harry B. Paschall, the creator of “Bosco” and one of the most vehement propagandists for heavy weight-lifting, has given us a good lead on non-apparatus leg training by his serious statement that “ The legs of ballet dancers" are unexcelled." He particularly advocates movements from the Cossack Dance as being of great value in leg training.”
But such force could heavily damage one’s legs if their connective tissues aren’t up to the challenge.
I would also like to see what mass can be achieved with partial range of motion pistol squats in the lengthened position.
But you see!?!?!?
Instead of just slapping on weight I have to come up with all these different approaches.
Difficult Progressions
Along the same vein as just mentioned there can be difficulty in finding the right progressions. Every author and calisthenics athlete(myself included) has their own steps in progressing toward more difficult movements. Some work, others do not. In reviews of Convict Conditioning, some were dissatisfied with the steps on some of the progressions ranging from
Half One Arm Push-Up to the full One Arm Push-Up
Half One Arm Pull-Up to the full One Arm Pull-Up
I later started using different progression for the handstand push-ups like the pike or enhanced pike push-ups instead of regular handstands. These alternate progressions work for me bet let me know what you think.
At the end of the day, it’s for each person to find his/her way and some don’t like this answer. It’s easier to be given a solid set of instructions than be given a somewhat decent plan and have to figure out the rest for ourselves. I’m the same way. Our education system doesn’t produce leaders and creativity but followers and factory workers.
Therefore, it will be tough for some of us to rank up in our calisthenics skills but with enough contemplation and research, we will find a way.
Measurability
“Hey man what do you bench”
Me…
With the multiple paths of progression, there also lies within it no way to quantify our progress. If there is something like a chart that stated someone at a height of 5’ 8’’ and a weight of 165 that could do close push-ups was above someone at 5’ 2’’/155 at regular push-ups that would help but there isn’t one. We like numbers we like things that are objective. In a video, I watched the other day with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dolph Lungren talking about Golds Gym and Arnold stated that in there, “200 pounds was 200 pounds.” There is an area of uncertainty which is all the more reason to have a workout log and to take detailed notes within that log. The better the notes the better you can get to the bottom of your problem and map progress.
Weight Increases
With your workout log, you can over time see the trends in your weight which will also be a big factor in understanding your progress. If I weighed 160 and could not do a one-arm pull-up and am now 155 and do one does that mean I’ve gotten stronger? Well…Kinda.
With the upper body movements how much you weigh will determine what feats you can pull off. Prior to Thanksgiving break, you found you could do 15 straight pull-ups, and after you can barely crank out 13.
Not just with the big pulling movements this can also occur with handstand push-ups. But, looking at it from a different perspective that added mass be it from more muscle on your legs, or pints of Haagen-dazs can act as a free weight vest.
The Weather
I mainly work out in my garage but it’s nice once in a while to go outside find a bar, and do some muscle-ups. Or find a tree, wrap a rope around it, and perform some rope climbs. There aren’t many calisthenics parks in North Texas but if I had one and the weather outside was less than ideal I’d be distraught if my training schedule was interrupted.
Not Advantageous for Body Builders
You will put on mass with progressive calisthenics but don’t expect to be participating in any bodybuilding competitions. Maybe if you pumped yourself full of chemicals it might be possible. But, then there’s the concern about those chemical’s effects on your longevity.
Not valid
Having delved into the internet and looked at various articles there are certain “disadvantages” about calisthenics I saw that I don’t believe hold up.
Isolation
Unless it’s to heal an injury I believe isolation is overrated. Our body is a unit so why not train it like one? If a certain body part is not activating, you can train yourself to take better control of it.
Joints
This one made me scratch my head because calisthenics is perfect for building up the joints. Use the correct progression and eliminate momentum in your movements and you are there.
Can Be Difficult To Start As A Beginner
This caused me to be flabbergasted.
The is a plethora of progressions beginners can use for pushing, pulling, and lowerbody.
Progressive Calisthenics can seem like uncharted territory but if you stick it out and use your brain you will receive benefits that will last you for decades to come.
Thank you for making it to the end and comments are below.
Until Next Time…
