These are the best workout routines for beginners.
So if you want to:
- Build real muscle.
- Begin your training based on your level.
- And become stronger than you've ever been.
Then you’ll love these 14 calisthenics beginner routines for Bar Brothers.
Let’s get started.
Introduction:
Preparing For Your Calisthenics Training
It doesn't matter if you are beginning your calisthenics journey...
...at home, at a park or in the gym...
When it comes to body weight training, your body is the BIGGEST tool.
But somehow a lot of beginners are afraid they will not build muscle.
Afraid that they NEED weights.
For example, a quick look at Reddit shows that most people are surprised that calisthenics training can build muscle:
And it's not the only place where people are afraid they will NOT get any results.
The same questions are asked on Quora:
So just to quickly remove your doubts...
...which you most likely will have as a beginner.
According to the well-respected Journal for Strength and Conditioning, calisthenics push-up training can increase muscle thickness and strength similar to weight training.
So:
"YES, you can build muscle with calisthenics."
Which also means you can get injured if you start too heavy.
Jumping into any of these routines can lead to pretty sore muscles.
(Which is a mistake we made back in the day.)
Instead, make sure:
- you warm up for your calisthenics training;
- bring plenty of water for better performance;
- and give yourself a few breaks if this is your first time.
Sorry about that, I know you came for the routines.
But I'm responsible for making sure you don't get injured.
So you can still do and enjoy calisthenics 10+ years from now.
Hopefully until you are old and grey.
(That is, if you aren't yet.)
Chapter 1:
Full Body Routines
Being a beginner doesn't mean that you shouldn't work hard.
But it means that you should work SMART.
Going from sitting on a couch or behind a computer to actually doing muscle ups is like shifting from riding your bike with training wheels to jumping into a racing car.
That's something you wouldn't recommend to any beginner.
Would you?
Let's take a good look at the routines first and design a plan that allows you to slowly transition from training wheels to racing speed.
Chapter 6:
7 Day Workout Plans For Bar Brother Beginners
So what do you need to do now?
You have the routines.
But I'm sure you'd like to know when to use what routine and how to use them in a balanced way.
I've written a few 7 day plans based upon what you believe your current level of strength is right now.
But first a few questions:
Is this your first time starting calisthenics? Start at level 1.
Have you done Bar Brother training before? Start at level 2.
Have you done this type of workout before? And do you have an active life in general? Start at level 3.
Have you done this before? Do you have an active life? Are you crazy? Start at level 4.
In all honesty, I'd rather have you be a little conservative in your choice and feel like you could have done more after your first workout.
Than to have you lay on bed for the entire day, because you are completely destroyed.
As with everything, too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing.
It's all about the right dosages.
Don't be afraid to be a 'Rookie' or a 'Beginner', before you become a 'Master' or a 'Beast'.
Level 1: Bar Brother Rookie
You are new to this calisthenics thing.
You want to be a Bar Brother, but aren't sure yet about how to start.
You need a simple plan to begin in a safe and well constructed way.
You are willing and realize that training at least 3 days a week is necessary to make consistent progress.
Day | Routine |
---|---|
Monday | No equipment |
Tuesday | Rest |
Wednesday | Leg Routine |
Thursday | Rest |
Friday | Let's Go |
Saturday | Rest |
Sunday | Rest |
Level 2: Bar Brother Beginner
You are just getting started, but want to challenge yourself with a bit of intensity.
Your rate of recovery requires you to have rest days in between workouts.
Motivation comes quite easily, but you need a bit of a jump start every now and then.
An extra day of cardio will help your overall recovery of the past week.
Keep in mind that on your body still needs time to adapt.
Day | Routine |
---|---|
Monday | No equipment |
Tuesday | Rest |
Wednesday | Leg Routine |
Thursday | Rest |
Friday | Let's Go |
Saturday | Fat Removal |
Sunday | Rest |
Level 3: Bar Brother Master
You are beyond the level of a beginner, who has just dipped his feet into the water for the first time.
You are ready to jump in and submerge yourself into calisthenics.
You will need less rest, because the recovery rate of your body is significantly higher than that of a beginner due to a history of training.
6 days of training followed by 1 day of rest.
Day | Routine |
---|---|
Monday | No equipment |
Tuesday | Leg Routine |
Wednesday | Let's Go |
Thursday | Leg Routine |
Friday | Let's Go |
Saturday | Fat Removal |
Sunday | Rest |
Level 4: Bar Brother BEAST
You don't make any concessions when it comes to training.
You like to lean beyond your edge and your friends probably think you are nuts for doing so.
You have a high drive and don't need to be motivated.
This plan will suit you well.
Just make sure you focus on your recovery.
Proper sleep for calisthenics and high quality calisthenics nutrition are essential.
6 days of hardcore training followed by 1 day of deep rest.
Day | Routine |
---|---|
Monday | No Equipment |
Tuesday | Let's Go + Leg Routine |
Wednesday | Fat Removal |
Thursday | Let's Go + Leg Routine |
Friday | No Equipment |
Saturday | Let's Go + Leg Routine |
Sunday | Rest |
Bonus: Bar Brother Video Routines
While these routines and the subsequent plans are great, feel free to customize them to your own specific needs.
Want to use a certain routine instead of another?
Go for it!
View this plan as a blueprint of a house.
Stick to the foundation, but what you put into the house is up to you.
Beyond these 7 days you can transition into:
Be A Beginner With A Plan
You have a goal.
What do you think you need to have to make that goal a reality?
Riding your 'bike with training wheels' won't cut it.
You've tried and you know, that's why you came to this post in the first place.
Throw away the 'training wheels'. Start using a plan.
A plan with routines that are customized to your personal needs.
A plan that maintains its quality for longer than a day.
A plan that takes time to come to completion, but once completed leads to a complete transformation.
From plan to reality, it takes 6 months to build a Rolls Royce and only 13 hours to build a Toyota.
What plan would you rather have?
*Fist bump*
Now I’d like to hear from you:
Are you going to try any of these 14 routines?
Or maybe you have a question.
Either way, make sure you get your download and leave a quick comment below right now.
PS. Special thanks to www.madbarz.com for the high quality routines.
Hey brothers,
I really have a serious issue, I’m 17 years old ( 58Kg and 177cm) and I’m really confused how to start the road to be a pro calisthenics, I can train every day (i don’t have a bar to pull up) but I got some skills (i can do +35 regular pushups and clap pushups and diamond ones) so can i transform my body with one of your medium routines ?
Hey Hasan,
Great question!
Read the free diet guide first. I’m not sure about ‘medium routines’, in all honesty, those numbers are fairly basic, work on your basics first with CLEAN form, then move on.
Beast mode ON!
Hi guys. I’ve posted this before without an answer. It would be great to have some guidelines because I’m a total beginner. Thanks:
“Hello!
First of all, congratulations for the blog and the whole website. Great job and amazing contents.
I’m totally new at calisthenics, therefore I’ve just started with the “Body routine for absolute beginners” from your ebook.
As I’ve red on some posts, it is a good idea to start doing the routine 3 times a week with 1day rest between them. My question is:
I’m used to run/swim for 30-60 minutes and also some short hiit burpees sessions (20 min). Is there any way to alternate calisthenics routines with those I’m used to? Or are they counter-productive?
Thanks in advance.
Regards.”
Hello,
Thanks for the amazing guide n this site helps a lot.
I have been doing 6 month beginner workout for 3 months. I m in stage 2 now, didn’t go to next stage coz I think I m not yet ready for stage 3. My query is related to pull ups n chin ups. I feel NY arm n forearm muscles being locked or stiff like after doing 3-4 repetitions n I m like stuck in midway during this exercise. Is it Coz of less energy or weak muscles ? I mostly workout after my office hours in evening. I m 29 years old.
Hey Sachin,
You are more than welcome!
It’s because of weakness and lack of adaptation. It took you a long time to develop the body you have right now and it will take a while to get the body you want. It’s a matter of patience.
Try shaking your arms to remove the tension and immediately return to your exercise.
Beast mode ON!
Hello bar brothers i have got a one question to you :
im started to ur no equipment routine i can do 10 push up now max with clear form after 1 months i can do how many push ups
Just tell me average number because i know every human different pls answer that thanks for ur answer
Hey Mehmet,
Great question.
You are already answering your own question basically, it’s an individual thing. I have no insight into your form, nutrition, rest etc. So it’s impossible for me to give you an ‘estimate’ without bullshitting you. Rule of thumb should be that you should be a little bit stronger every training session, if you aren’t, most likely some things are not optimal yet.
If you really want to know, go train and see where you are at after a month.
Beast mode ON!
another question im burning the fat now im new at this (2 days) but i have got a sports history body building burning fat with can i move forward ? thanks ur answering again (my english bad im turk so sorry that)
Pls answer my 2nd question barbrothers thanks ur interest
Bro answer pls
Hi there I have a quick question. Should I be doing more than one of these curcuits a day, what if it only takes 15-20 min. Should I work on more training for that day or have I already trained enough? Thanks!
Hey Torin,
Great question.
I’ve written a free 6 month plan for beginners. Over time you definitely want to increase the intensity, because your body will adapt to the loads.
Check out the free 6 month plan here: http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/calisthenics-workout-plan/
Beast mode ON!
Hey i just started to become a bar brother as well and i wanted to ask if its okay if i would add dips,knee raises, shuttle pushups and maybe even australian pull ups, i wanna ask if its not too much or could someone give me some advice please, thank you.
Hey Erx,
Thanks for your message!
It really depends on a 1001 factors. Recovery, current strength, diet etc.
A general rules of thumb are:
1) The harder you train the harder you need to rest
2) If you are progressing every single workout, you are doing something good
You can find a free 6 month plan calisthenics workout plan for beginners on the website.
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/calisthenics-workout-plan/
Beast mode ON!
Hey, thanks a lot for this post and the information. Now I can really start my calisthenics journey! Beast mode on!
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for your comment!
I’ve just updated the page with some ‘7 day workout plans’ based upon the routines.
They might be useful for you at this point!
Beast mode ON!
can you suggest something for muscle imbalances
Hey Suresh,
Great question!
Start with training your entire body.
If you are purely coming from an aesthetic perspective doing unilateral exercises such as pistol squats and one arm pulling and pushing drills such as the one arm push up or one arm hanging will greatly benefit you.
More, doing bilateral (with both extremities) drills with more emphasis on the side you prefer will also improve that side, but you need to keep in mind that you need to actively focus on it. So with a push up for example, place more weight on that side.
And of course diet. You’ll need to manage your nutrition in multiple ways. You can also find this information on the website.
Use the plans in this blog to get started. I understand your urgency, but this isn’t something that has ‘one simple answer’, you’ll need to train your entire body with a specific focus on your weaker parts.
Beast mode ON!