pullupfighter
Level 2 Valued Member
I'm just now getting back into training after a few years off after I platued on body weight exercises. I got to the point to where I was doing a thousand push ups a day, hundreds of dips, and hundreds of air squats. After I hit the wall on gains, I gave up working out for a few years.
Today, I'm back with a new plan. I wanted the enjoyment of body weight exercises or big compound moves, but this time I want to add progression and weighted moves to keep me striving for more gains. However, after re-freshing my memory by browsing several forums, I've came to one conclusion. Over on bodybuilding forums, and a few other forums, the body building or weight lifting guys often talk about weighted calisthenics in a manner that presents it "less efficient" than just lifting weights. Why is there so much hate towards weighted calisthenics vs traditional weight lifting?
The way I see it is, your incorporating more muscles in the big compound exercises like (Pull Ups, Dips, Squats, and Push Ups. Which in turn, with consistent training, would build a more "complete and filled"
body build or frame than simple isolation movements? Despite what I've read on some of the other forums,
I (DO NOT) want to be the massive body builder over on the bench, benching 500 lbs, then not be able to lift myself up on a pull up bar. It just doesn't make sense to me. I want to build Strength first, then mass second.
So about three months ago, I started my own basic weighted calisthenics program, despite what I read on the bodybuilding forums. Despite everyone telling me free weights were more superior? My basic routine is mostly all compound movements, with a FEW isolation movements thrown in.
I do Push/Pull/Leg split, 2x a week.
Weighted Pull Ups. (Started at Body Weight , Currently up to 40 lbs)
Weighted Chin Ups (Started at Body Weight, Currently up to 40 lbs.)
Inverted Rows (Started at Body Weight, Currently up to 50 lbs added)
+ Hammer Curls (Heavy Dumbbells)
+ Bicep Curls (Resistance Bands)
Weighted Push Ups (Started at Body Weight, Current 150 lbs added + 110 lbs through body weight)
Weighted Dips (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 75 lbs)
Weighted Close Grip Diamonds (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 45 lbs)
Backpack / DB Squats (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 180 lbs added)
Dead Lifts (Heavy Dumbbells / 100 lbs each)
______________________________________________________________
That's pretty much the most part of my routine. I'm confused to why people say "Weightlifting" is far superior on other forums. However, weighted calisthenics seem to get more love here. I don't see
how weight lifting is far superior as in only (3) months, I've constantly progressed and increased
weight every single week from my start date. Not only is my weight steadily increasing, but I'm seeing a HUGE DIFFERENCE in my build, so noticeable that I'm getting compliments daily from friends / family.
That brings up the question. Does anyone have any photo's or know any builders who trained exclusively with weighted calisthenics, to get a visual idea of what kind of frame they built up? Also, how do you feel about weighted calisthenics?
Today, I'm back with a new plan. I wanted the enjoyment of body weight exercises or big compound moves, but this time I want to add progression and weighted moves to keep me striving for more gains. However, after re-freshing my memory by browsing several forums, I've came to one conclusion. Over on bodybuilding forums, and a few other forums, the body building or weight lifting guys often talk about weighted calisthenics in a manner that presents it "less efficient" than just lifting weights. Why is there so much hate towards weighted calisthenics vs traditional weight lifting?
The way I see it is, your incorporating more muscles in the big compound exercises like (Pull Ups, Dips, Squats, and Push Ups. Which in turn, with consistent training, would build a more "complete and filled"
body build or frame than simple isolation movements? Despite what I've read on some of the other forums,
I (DO NOT) want to be the massive body builder over on the bench, benching 500 lbs, then not be able to lift myself up on a pull up bar. It just doesn't make sense to me. I want to build Strength first, then mass second.
So about three months ago, I started my own basic weighted calisthenics program, despite what I read on the bodybuilding forums. Despite everyone telling me free weights were more superior? My basic routine is mostly all compound movements, with a FEW isolation movements thrown in.
I do Push/Pull/Leg split, 2x a week.
Weighted Pull Ups. (Started at Body Weight , Currently up to 40 lbs)
Weighted Chin Ups (Started at Body Weight, Currently up to 40 lbs.)
Inverted Rows (Started at Body Weight, Currently up to 50 lbs added)
+ Hammer Curls (Heavy Dumbbells)
+ Bicep Curls (Resistance Bands)
Weighted Push Ups (Started at Body Weight, Current 150 lbs added + 110 lbs through body weight)
Weighted Dips (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 75 lbs)
Weighted Close Grip Diamonds (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 45 lbs)
Backpack / DB Squats (Started at Body Weight, Currently at 180 lbs added)
Dead Lifts (Heavy Dumbbells / 100 lbs each)
______________________________________________________________
That's pretty much the most part of my routine. I'm confused to why people say "Weightlifting" is far superior on other forums. However, weighted calisthenics seem to get more love here. I don't see
how weight lifting is far superior as in only (3) months, I've constantly progressed and increased
weight every single week from my start date. Not only is my weight steadily increasing, but I'm seeing a HUGE DIFFERENCE in my build, so noticeable that I'm getting compliments daily from friends / family.
That brings up the question. Does anyone have any photo's or know any builders who trained exclusively with weighted calisthenics, to get a visual idea of what kind of frame they built up? Also, how do you feel about weighted calisthenics?