Why calisthenics is taking over the fitness influencer scene

Back in the day, fitness influencers were a homogenous mass of toned, tanned six packs and gymspiration. These days, the fitness influencer space has expanded, with online personalities providing inspo for running, triathlon, strength sports… and calisthenics.  
  
There have always been calisthenics influencers. But we’ve noticed that lots of gym-type influencers have started to embrace calisthenics as part of their fitness lifestyle. Why? Well, we’d have to ask them. But we can make a pretty good guess. 
  
Join us as we explore why influencers have started to use calisthenics in their training, and what this might say about the future of fitness. 

  
Why are your favourite fitness influencers doing calisthenics?

Calisthenics is definitely not a trend. It’s one of the oldest forms of fitness training in the world (it can be traced back to ancient Greece China, and India). Calisthenics has been used for centuries as a form of training for athletes, soldiers, and fighters. 
  
In the modern world, calisthenics is the perfect solution to a super busy lifestyle. It offers an effective way to tick almost all the training boxes – strength gains, resistance training, mobility, functional fitness, even cardio – in a flexible way. 
  
Calisthenics doesn’t need a gym or specific fitness facility. It can be done without equipment. And it works even if you can only find 15 minutes here and there. It’s amazingly effective by itself, but can also be a great support for other forms of training. 
  
Maybe fitness influencers are moving away from “the gym” and embracing calisthenics for the holistic approach to training, the functional strength, and the appealing blend of power, endurance, balance, and flexibility that isolated weight training overlooks.  
  

5 reasons fitness influencers love calisthenics  

Quick and accessible - busy online influencers are often under pressure to create fitness content, and calisthenics makes it easy. Calisthenics can be done whenever, wherever, cutting down on the amount of time it takes to create and upload content. 
  
Versatile for followers – calisthenics is the art of mastering your own bodyweight (no equipment required). This means influencers can showcase workouts that their followers can easily try at home, widening the appeal. 
  
Functional fitness – calisthenics movements like pull ups, push ups, and bodyweight squats, build a balanced body and functional strength. This is likely to appeal to more followers than niche training styles or extreme workouts. 
  
Impressive movements – lots of calisthenics movements are impressive (human flag, anyone?) Even if fitness influencers can’t quite manage these top-end movements, they can work towards skills like planche which make for great online content! 
  
Create a community – calisthenics is fun and engaging, the perfect style of training to cultivate a community amongst followers. Influencers love the camaraderie and inspiration calisthenics offers through sharing movements. 

Fitness influencers who do calisthenics 

Is your favourite fitness influencer on our list?  
  
Larry Wheels, who started out in powerlifting, has made a name for himself in the calisthenics space. Known for his sheer strength and muscular physique, Larry started to incorporate calisthenics into his routine to improve mobility and functional movement. Larry's socials often showcase his impressive ability to transition from heavy lifting to explosive pull-ups and even muscle ups. His followers see first-hand how traditional strength training can meet calisthenics for a more holistic approach to training. 
  
Lucas Da Silva (coach.blueee) comes from a coaching background and his recent calisthenics content incorporates creative routines for various skill levels. Famous for his mastery of handstands and calisthenics circuits, Lucas encourages followers to focus on foundational movements before trying more advanced techniques.  
  
Alex Eubank has built an online reputation around discipline and aesthetics. Traditional weight training is still integral to his routine, but he now incorporates calisthenics for mobility and core strength. His signature calisthenics workouts feature dynamic sequences of calisthenics movements, and he blends traditional gym exercises with calisthenics, showing how this hybrid style of training works for hypertrophy. 
  
Influencer Myron Gaines has shifted his fitness philosophy from purely strength-based to a more holistic approach that includes calisthenics. Myron talks about the benefits of combining weights with bodyweight exercises for functional fitness and often shares routines that incorporate calisthenics staples like push up variations and core movements.  
  
Sneako’s energy and enthusiasm runs through his fitness routines, where calisthenics plays a central role. Sneako uses calisthenics creatively to maintain his fitness routine on the go. His workouts often include fun challenges like levers, appealing to his younger audience. Sneako’s content showcases calisthenics as a fun and enjoyable way to stay fit, encouraging followers to find joy in their training. 
  
Hamza Ahmed advocates for a balanced approach to fitness, with calisthenics playing a key role in his fitness philosophy for mental and physical resilience. Known for detailed tutorials, Hamza shows his followers how calisthenics is great for physical strength and mindfulness.  
  
Malin Malle champions strength, particularly for a female audience. Known for her flexibility and control, Malin’s content showcases the power of bodyweight training. Her routines range from accessible to more challenging, inspiring her followers to try new movements. As a strong advocate for body positivity, Malin’s training philosophy emphasises calisthenics as a tool for confidence. 
  
Calisthenics has always been a training discipline that invites creativity and innovation. With more fitness influencers embracing calisthenics, we’re excited that a wider audience will see how it can support any fitness goal.   
  
Some of the best calisthenics coaches in the world are over on our app delivering training content, skills workshops, and step-by-step calisthenics movements. Check out the app here.