If you’ve ever looked for a solid routine to follow online, then you’ll probably have noticed the sheer number of different programs that are available to you. Some are more expensive than others, some are most ideal to beginners, whilst others can be tailored to whatever level you are currently at.
Some are muscle building orientated, whilst others are better for strength, endurance, or even skill work. But most important of all, once you have cut through all the noise, which training programs are actually worth your time and money, and which programs will give you the most results?
Of course, how much one benefits from a given routine often depends on two principal things; your own personal level of dedication, and how consistent you are. If you have both of these nailed down, then any smart workout program will work wonders for you.
However, it is still vital to make out which program out there is the right one for you, and will get you where you want to be in the most efficient way possible.
In this helpful resource article, you will find the best calisthenics programs, sorted according to what they are best at improving (overall muscle mass, strength, endurance, and even skill), as well as what you should expect from them.
Recommended Routine
1. Bodyweight Fitness
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Free
Reddit’s popular Recommended Routine is free of access to everyone and provides all the information one may need to start working out, and keep progressing all the way to advanced levels. It’s a simple routine that won’t leave you confused; it’s easy to read and understand, as well as flexible to any needed modifications.
It contains every single progression for every included exercise, information about sets, reps, rest times, as well as some basics on diet. You’ll also be covered in terms of warming up, frequency, and more. What’s great about this particular training program, is that there is an entire community behind it, constantly updating it and giving feedback, also sharing their own results, setbacks, and overall thoughts.
2. Body By Rings
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
Level:
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Medium
Body By Rings is a hypertrophy focused program, built around the use of gymnastic rings as your main training tool. It was carefully put together by Daniel Vadnal from FitnessFaqs, a very solid source of information when it comes to bodyweight training, on both Youtube and Instagram. He is a physiotherapist with over 10 years of calisthenics practice, and he applies his practical and theoretical knowledge to his own content and training.
In this package you will have access to an 18 week routine, with over 40 exercise demonstrations, and explanation on how you can best modify each exercise to a progression fit for your current level of training, and more. It’s a solid workout plan that will allow you to gain strength and muscle, all with one simple tool; gymnastic rings.
3. Antranik Ring Routine
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
- Skill
Level:
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Low
Antranik is a respected practioner of calisthenics and bodyweight coach among the bodyweight fitness community on Reddit. He has worked on numerous mobility, flexibility, and strength routines, and has released a bodyweight ring training routine. Similarly to the above mentioned Body By Rings program by FintessFaqs, the only piece of equipment you need are gymnastic rings, but it is slightly more skill orientated than hypertrophy.
The program contains everything you need on exercise progressions, warming up, mobility work, stretches, prehab, strength work, and skills practice. The program is also regularly updated, and Antranik can is usually available to reply to any questions you may have on the Bodyweight Fitness sub-reddit.
4. The LBM Blueprint
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Low
The LBM Blueprint was carefully crafted by the bodyweight training legend littlebeastM himself (or otherwise known as Metin). He is one of the absolute best when it comes to teaching bodyweight strength training, and highly specialized in that particular method.
For a very modest price you will receive a complete e-book, full of information on not only training, progressions, diet, mobility, rehab, and more yet, but also mindset, and meditation (some often overlooked factors). This blueprint is by far one of the most humble and worthy training manuals out there, and is worth every penny.
5. Overcoming Gravity 2
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
- skills
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Low
The second edition of Overcoming Gravity is more like the holy bible of bodyweight training. It’s not a pre-laid out workout routine, but it instead gives you the tools you need to create your own routines, from beginner levels all the way to advanced. With this resource you will never have to buy another program and will be able to learn how to do everything yourself, which is especially effective seeing as you can now customize your training completely according to your goals.
This lengthy, well written and illustrated book lists every progression for every exercise you need, and absolutely everything you need to know to achieve your training goals continuously. The author, Steven Low is a former gymnast and works as a physiotherapist. He has used his own years of practice and research, and combined them into this ultimate training guide.
6. ThenX
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
- Skill]
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- medium
ThenX have put together a fantastic bodyweight training app, that has a variety of effective programs for fat loss, muscle gain, strength gain, or all at the same time.
The app works on a subscription fee basis and gives you access to 52 weeks of video with form breakdown and instructions, tailored programs according to your fitness level, and helpful feedback from the coaches. The ThenX community is evergrowing and provides plenty of motivation.
7. Calisthenics Movement
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Low- medium
Calisthenic Movement has several programs : basic Level 1 to 5 program, online personal training, and then more specific programs. Level 1 is their most basic program with no strength requirements, oriented towards complete beginners in strength training.
It is a 3 months program, in the form of a pdf including : the program itself, programmed deload weeks between every month, a sample warm up and mobility routine, form check private videos, and parts about secondary factors such as diet, sleep, recovery methods, and more. The founders of these programs also have a Youtube channel where you can find lots of valuable information on calisthenics.
8. Limitless Legs
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- medium
Limitless legs is the second program on this list created by Danial Vadnal from FitnessFaqs. In this blueprint, you will learn how to grow your legs with bodyweight exercises only, anywhere at any time.
This is an all around solid program with progressive overload, an intelligent selection of exercises, and technique advices to remain injury free.
9. Bodyweight Tribe Routine
Goals covered by routine:
- Strength
- Muscle gain
- Fat loss
Level:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Price:
- Free
The Bodyweight Tribe Routine is a well laid out and detailed work out plan including progressions, warm up, mobility work, information on diet, recovery, and plenty more. It’s a complete pack, containing everything you need to make serious progress, all in the same place.
It has been built from years of bodyweight training practice from the Bodyweight Tribe team, as well as hours of research and careful planning.
Best Calisthenics Programs - Conclusion
Now that we have gone over the best calisthenics programs out there, it’s up to you to choose which one is right for you, according to your goals, and possibly budget.
Remember that quality doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, and in this article you already have two highly efficient workout programs that will have you progressing for a very long time. So look no further, and get to work!
Are there any routines in this list that you have already tried, or want to try in the future? Comment down below!
