Image title: Weighing up the options.

Image source anvilcloud

I recently received a comment on the post What are calisthenics? that read

Is Calisthenics a full replacement for the gym or are ‘top-up’ gyms sessions required?

This led me to consider the question for a few minutes…during this time I drastically tried to conjure up numerous reasons as to why calisthenics does not need to be accompanied by ‘top up’ gym sessions as I am a keen advocate of the exercise style. I did come up with a fair few reasons in support of a solo programme of calisthenics but, soon realised that as with all things in life there are always two sides to a story.

My initial thoughts were:

• versatility
• the exercises are numerous
• target body as a whole or individual muscles
• sport specific actions in 3 planes of movement
• no time constraints
• low cost
• the cost of your body weight, mat and some music
• no need for gym membership
• travel expenses to and from a gym are negated
  
• functional posture
  
• most exercises are standing and engage the core unit

These factors define the reasons that I turned to calisthenics during my time at University. I could not afford the membership fees for a health club or gymnasium and I lived a fair distance from the nearest gym so traveling did not really appeal to me. Additionally, I could train while studying in my dorm room at 2 am if I needed to, I could listen to my own music (without the ads), and I could rehydrate, eat, and shower all within 30 mins (the time it takes to drive home).

The workouts I designed and followed were highly intensive, lasting no more than 20 minutes but left my muscles burning from head to toe. The programmes enabled me to increase my strength endurance no end coupled with a secondary cardio benefit.

So far, all factors point to a solo calisthenics program.

However, these days I am no longer an undergraduate but a Masters degree graduate that does have some spare money to invest in gym membership. The reasons that I strength train at the gym are:

• social
• i train with my cousin and a few friends
• like to meet new like minded fitness fanatics
• running club
  
• facilities
• pool, spa, sauna and bar
• specialist equipment
• experts
• some staff know their stuff

These factors are among the reasons that I now choose to combine my home exercise workouts with the gym. At home I can not meet like minded people, I don’t have enough room in my flat for a pool, spa or sauna, and I don’t have access to specialist equipment.

I train almost every day at home using calisthenics exercises as the demand on the body is purely its own mass against gravity, therefore the rest periods don’t need to be any greater than 24 hours. In comparison, I train at the gym on a 3 day split routine basis. Effectively, two muscle regions on each day and only once a week. When I’m at the gym I will integrate calisthenics into my workout during the “rest” periods. I’m not a great fan of rest periods despite their importance and scientific support, so I don’t suggest that others follow this procedure unless they seek to seriously stress their muscle and respiratory systems. After a set of bench press repetitions I will drop to the floor and perform up to 20 push ups, similarly for the lat pull down I will perform pull ups between sets.

As a final answer to the question left in a comment. The two forms can be highly productive when performed in isolation but they can just as easily be integrated for maximum gains.

How do you workout? The recent poll results revealed that 85% of the voters exercises at home. It would be interesting to know if these people also train at the gym. Do you have your own opinion on this topic? If so leave a comment, I’d appreciate it and so would others.