Why Summer is the Best Time to Start Calisthenics

The sun is shining, the evenings are light, and you're feeling the urge to get back into training. There’s no need to spend the nice weather inside a gym when you could be doing calisthenics - the perfect way to train outdoors or at home. Here’s why summer is the best time of year to start doing calisthenics.

Beginner's guide to summer calisthenics

Most people know that a well-rounded fitness plan includes some sort of strength training. Calisthenics is simply strength training using your bodyweight. No machines, no gym membership – just your bodyweight and gravity.

Press-ups, pull-ups, squats, dips, and other calisthenics fundamentals have been building strong, functional bodies for centuries. Every movement in calisthenics teaches your body to work as one unit.

Summer is a great time to start, so make the most of the motivation (and weather) to build a calisthenics practice that will carry you through the rest of the year.

Why summer is the best time of year for calisthenics

1. The weather is on your side - calisthenics thrives in the great outdoors (that’s why we have the tradition of calisthenics parks). These warm summer evenings are perfect for training in the park or in your garden.

2. Outdoor training feels great – training outside challenges your body with different environments and surfaces, and you’ll get natural vitamin D and fresh air.

3. The community – summer brings out the calisthenics community like nothing else. Parks are buzzing with people practicing their skills, many places have dedicated outdoor gym equipment, and summer events are great for motivation.

How do I get started with calisthenics?

Master the basics

Focus on mastering the basic movements that underpin every calisthenics skill you’ll ever learn. Press-ups, bodyweight squats, inverted rows, and dead hangs are great places to start.

Consistency over intensity

You could do calisthenics every day (the recovery time is much quicker than gym-style weights) but there’s no need. 3 x a week is perfect when you’re starting out. Why not do Monday, Wednesday, Friday then have the weekend for rest, sports, or socialising?

Less is more equipment

You don’t need any equipment at all to get started in calisthenics. You could do all your training with just bodyweight. However, if you do want to add one or two items, we recommend a pull up bar and a set of parallettes.

Keep it simple

Calisthenics pairs well with whatever other sport or training you enjoy. Walking, running, yoga, team sport – calisthenics will get you stronger and fitter for anything. The key is to not overwhelm yourself. Let calisthenics be your main strength training, and everything else a bonus.

What to expect when you start calisthenics

Can I gain muscle with calisthenics? Calisthenics builds functional muscle that looks good and helps you in every walk of life. Think gymnast style muscle that’s proportionate to your frame.

Will calisthenics make me strong? You'll develop relative strength (how strong you are compared to your bodyweight) which translates to real-world functionality.

Will it help me lose weight? Calisthenics can support weight loss when combined with sensible nutrition. The compound movements burn calories, and your metabolic rate increases as you build more muscle.

Will it help me get fitter? Calisthenics improves cardiovascular fitness (as well as flexibility, balance, coordination, and strength).

How long to see a difference with calisthenics? It depends on how often you train and where you’re starting from, but you'll start feeling stronger in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the process!

What to eat for summer calisthenics

Nutrition shouldn’t be complicated for calisthenics. Include some protein with every meal (meat, fish, plant protein, dairy, eggs – lots of options!) Don’t cut out any food groups (carbs are your friend for energy, training, and building muscle). And try to eat seasonally, especially over summer. It just makes sense if you can.

Hydration tips for summer calisthenics

You’ll sweat more than you think doing calisthenics outdoors, and dehydration can creep up on you. Here are some golden rules for hydration now you’re stepping things up a gear.

• Start hydrated - drink water in the morning to try and stay one step ahead.

• Little and often - take regular small sips rather than chugging pints of water.

• Electrolytes matter – you’ll be losing key salts and minerals through sweat, so add an electrolyte tab or sachet to your water or add a little extra salt to meals.

• Water from food – don’t forget you can get hydration from foods too (fruits, salad vegetables etc).

• Know the warning signs - headaches, dizziness, fatigue, cramps, stomach problems could all be signs of dehydration so take a break and have a drink.

Summer calisthenics is a great way to find out what your body is capable of in perfect training conditions. The combination of great weather, outdoor opportunities, and natural motivation is great for starting something that could change the game for your training journey.

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