Calisthenics for the Runner
Calisthenics are a great way to get in a cross training and strengh training workout as well as get in some abs.
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As a running mom, I got into running not because fitness was a top priority for me, but because I enjoyed it, I could get a lot done in a little bit of time and feel like I had achieved something and on most days, I can do it with my son. On the other days, it's a much needed break and time alone that I enjoy.
A couple years into running I started to realize that my calves were looking pretty fit from all that running and it would be nice if the rest of me could be just as fit. But I hated going to the gym and doing sets and reps at the weight machines or crunches. They just felt like such a waste of time with little results and no runners high.
That is until I learned about Calisthenics.
How Calisthenics Works
The idea of this workout is that you don't stop in between sets. You just move right on to the next thing. This gives you a good strength training as well as a cardio workout.
For some combinations, you might choose from sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, tricep dips, jumping jacks, jump rope, and free weights.
In a traditional workout, you might do 30 sit-ups or crunches, rest, do 30 more, rest, do 30 more. Then move on to the next thing. But here you choose a group of workouts, two or more and you do a set of one, then instead of resting you go right into a set of the other and repeat that twice.
By the end of your workout, you will have worked up a sweat and gotten in a full body workout in way less time than if you just focussed on one thing at a time. Talk about the benefits of multi-tasking!
Here are some great calisthenic exercises to try next time you're at the gym.
And here are some great workout ideas that you can do at home with little or no equipment..
