Should You Do Calisthenics Every Day? (What You Should Know)

Isaac Robertson
Published by Isaac Robertson | Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Last updated: November 20, 2023
Our content is meticulously researched and reviewed by an expert team of fact checkers and medical professionals. They ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness using the latest reputable sources, which are cited within the text and listed at the end of the article. Before publication and upon significant updates, we confirm factual accuracy, committed to providing readers with well-informed content. Learn more.

You’re probably wondering whether calisthenics everyday is a good thing or a bit too much. I know I did too.

I am glad you've come here, and I will do my best to explain how you can do calisthenics every day and avoid rookie mistakes.

Calisthenics changed how I feel about my body and bodyweight exercises. I hope it will do the same for you.

But first, should you do calisthenics daily?

Quick Summary

  • You can do Calisthenics every day, but you should give your body enough time to rest and recover.
  • Calisthenics is a form of resistance training that teaches you how to use your body weight to work out with almost no equipment.
  • The benefits of calisthenics exercises are improved physical health, improved body balance, and weight loss.

Should I Do Calisthenics Every Day?

A person doing a squat

Yes, you can do calisthenics every day. But this doesn’t mean that you should train until failure -- make sure to give your body time to rest.

When I first started with my calisthenics training workouts, I trained my whole body hard every day.

Big mistake!

I didn't know it at the time, but I had been putting too much stress on my muscles, joints, and connective tissue, which led to injuries. In other words, I was impatient, and I had to work hard on my recovery.

Don't be like me. Be smarter. Give your body time to recuperate to develop strength and flexibility the right way.

If you want to build muscle mass, you need to have rest days or do split training.

Split training allows you to target muscle groups that you didn't use the previous day.

By doing split training, you isolate muscle groups and allow them some recovery time while training a different group of muscles.

What Is Calisthenics?

A girl lifting her pelvis

Calisthenics is a form of resistance training (or strength training, if you like) that teaches you how to use your body weight with almost no equipment.

All athletes do calisthenics as part of their training sessions.

The great thing about calisthenics is that you can decide on the level of difficulty.

It all depends on the type of exercise and the number of sets and reps.

"It is an art form of using your own bodyweight as a means to maximize human power and athletic ability,"

- Tee Major, a U.S. Military Fitness Instructor & Author of Urban Calisthenics.

Benefits of Daily Calisthenics

A girl doing a plank

The progression of everyday exercising can do wonders for our body and mind. The point is to work on it as a solution that will help you achieve your goal.

If you work on calisthenics training as described in the previous section, meaning every day but at certain times focusing on a problem muscle group or groups, you should see many benefits and fast.

"I normally train six days a week and for about two hours each day."

Frank Medrano, Calisthenics Instructor

The benefits of daily calisthenics are numerous, but just off the top of my head, I'd say:

  • Improved physical health and mental health
  • Muscles can learn to work together
  • Increased body awareness
  • Weight loss
  • Improved balance and coordination

As for me, I like the feeling of power after a good calisthenics workout. It's overwhelming but in a good way. I'm in a better mood, my energy levels are up, and I laugh more. Thus I'm a better company for people around me, and my social life has improved.

That is the magic of calisthenics.

Calisthenics is a journey to well-being. It’s a good idea to go traveling every day.

Related ArticleDo Calisthenics Burn Fat?

Calisthenics Exercises That You Can Do Every Day

A girl doing a push up while her feet are above her

I love this type of resistance training because you can choose different exercises for each workout. The combos are endless. You can experiment as much as you like.

Some exercises don't require much energy, and you can make progress fast. Some are demanding and tough, but the rewards are all the greater.

You can do calisthenics workouts entirely without equipment, and here are some of the usual suspects. Some I use, and some I avoid.

Here is a simple calisthenics every day plan that you can follow or easily modify depending on your fitness level:

Monday: Legs

A guy doing a sumo squat
  • 30 squats
  • 15 single leg deadlifts
  • 30 single leg calf raises
  • 30 sumo-squats
  • 20 alternating lunges
  • 15 side lunges

Tuesday: Triceps, Biceps, Shoulders, and Chest

A guy doing a chest dips workout outdoor
  • 20 pullups
  • 20 chest dips
  • 20 dips on a straight bar
  • 20 incline push-ups
  • 8 push-ups
  • 1-minute plank

Wednesday: Abs

A person doing crunches
  • 20 crunches
  • 20 leg raises
  • 20 oblique crunches
  • 20 flutter kicks
  • 1-minute plank

Thursday: Cardio

  • 30 minutes of yoga or a jog

Friday: Full Body Workout

A guy holding a jumping rope
  • 10 pullups
  • 10 chin-ups
  • 20 dips 
  • 25 jump squats
  • 20 push-ups
  • 50 crunches
  • 10 burpees
  • 30 seconds jumping rope
  • 1-minute plank

Saturday: Rest and Recovery

Sunday: Abs

A girl doing leg raises
  • 20 crunches
  • 20 leg raises
  • 20 oblique crunches
  • 20 flutter kicks
  • 1-minute plank

Exercises To Avoid

A guy about to do a neck pull up

While there are tons of exercises you can do daily, you also have to be mindful of some that might do more harm than good.

I suggest you avoid the following especially if you’re just starting out with your calisthenics workout.

These require advanced skills, thus might not be the best option for beginners.

  • Plyo push ups
  • Neck pull-ups
  • Back to wall hspu
  • Bench/chair dips

Equipment Needed

Pull up bar being used by a guy

Every athlete intent on resistance training will sooner or later come to the gym.

Gym machines and other equipment can come in handy for calisthenics routines that require more intensity, so maybe it's not a bad way to consider a gym membership.

Pull-up bar

I use pull-up bars to practice pull-ups, leg raises, and chin-ups. I can't imagine exercise workouts without them.

Resistance bands

I use them to increase resistance and build strength. If doing calisthenics every day isn't enough and you're not building strength as fast as you would have hoped, purchase some resistance bands and continue your exercises with them.

Try training every day or 5-6 days a week, and the results should become apparent in no time.

Free weights

Generally, there are no rules on the use of weights but if your body weight is no longer enough for you, and your muscles want to go the extra mile, start using free weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells, or barbells.. Lifting weights is a frequent complement to calisthenics.

Check out our article on the best calisthenics equipment you can buy.

Tips for Beginners

A girl doing crunches with her coach

Hire A Coach

If you're a calisthenics beginner, I would recommend someone like a fitness coach or a gym buddy with more experience who would show you proper calisthenics movements so that you can avoid injury,  improve your range of motion and meet your goal.

After you have mastered each tricky movement, you should be able to do the routine, even when alone.

Choose to go to the gym at least a few times a week.

If you are a calisthenics beginner, being part of a community can help you get into a routine and make it more difficult for you to quit. 

Consistency rules and the people at the gym make each other feel like a family. You’ll find yourself not wanting to let them down. There you can ask questions, get help, and have fun in the process.

Check out our article on the ultimate calisthenics guide for beginners.

Have a Strategy

A coach writing down on clipboard at the gym

When starting calisthenics, it's important to have a plan.

As you build up muscle strength, your flexibility improves, and you'll be able to challenge your workload and build up your custom-made routine movement.

In time, you’ll improve your form and add more challenging exercises to your routine.

Eat Right

Watch your macros and amount of water intake. Give your body the fuel it needs to accomplish the feats it needs to do. A muscle can only do so much work.

Any bodyweight exercise you intend to do depends on following a healthy nutrition plan that includes lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs.

When Will I See Results?

A guy checking his abs and muscles

It depends on what results you expect.

In terms of mental health, you can expect an almost immediate surge of feel-good emotions. Starting something new always feels amazing, and it only goes up from there.

As for your body, think about long-term goals.

Even a month of calisthenics training can feel huge. Changes are so obvious, that I didn't even need to use the before-after photos. My muscle tone improved, and so did my metabolism, strength, and stamina.


References:

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/calisthenics
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/how-many-calories-do-burpees-burn
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

You May Also Like

Guide to drinking protein every day
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 19 days ago
Should You Drink Whey Protein Every Day? (Expert's Opinion)
Your best guide to Ashwagandha and tesosterone
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 12 days ago
Does Ashwagandha Increase Testosterone? (Science-Based)
Your guide to Kali Muscle and if he's using steroids
By Isaac Robertson 20 hours ago
Is Kali Muscle on Steroids? (The Truth) 
A woman doing crunches
By Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC 7 days ago
Do Crunches Reduce Belly Fat? (From a Trainer)

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *