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 guys… I´m an active athlete, I´m pretty much “in shape”, but I wanted to start doing Calisthenics.. I just did my first full-body workout.. but it wasnt really difficult… is it ok to train 2 times a day?
thanks
Could you give me a good workout plan that would help gain weight and muscle?
Hey Wyatt,
A good workout plan alone will not help you gain weight and muscle.
You need to focus on both your diet and your workout.
There are 14 workouts in the post above, you can choose any of them.
Read this blog on how often en how you should work out and how to increase your results:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/the-quick-guide-to-bar-brother-training-resistance/
And check this blog for nutrition/muscle building tips:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/the-guide-to-ultimate-health-the-renegade-diet-paleo-101-calisthenics/
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/6-tips-to-double-your-testosterone-supplements/
Beast Mode ON!
I’ve been using bar brother routines for about 2 years I usually work mostly on my upper body do you have any workout routines that target the lower body to gain mass and ripped muscle for the lower body??
Hey bro,
That’s great to hear!
You should try the leg routines:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/16-intermediate-calisthenic-workouts-bar-brother-routines/
These are pretty intense.
Overall try to do your routines with a high intensity, this will release more testosterone in your body which will improve your muscle reconstruction.
Check this blog for more info on increasing your testosterone:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/6-tips-to-double-your-testosterone-supplements/
Beast Mode On!
Hey guys,
I’m from austria and i am very interested in these calistenics workouts.
My Weight is 75kg and i’m 1.82 metres high, so i hope this is a good base to start with these workouts.
But my question is… I Don’t fucking know how to start exercise or with what should i start.
Hope you guys answering my question (and i hope my english is not to bad 😉 )
Hey Tobias,
There are a few good blogs which you should read to get started:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/calisthenics-workout-for-dummies-8-frequently-asked-questions/
With regard to training frequency:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/the-quick-guide-to-bar-brother-training-resistance/
And with regard to routines:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/14-bar-brothers-beginner-routines-you-will-love-this-madbarz-special/
Beast Mode ON!
Nice routines! If I want to push my body to the max and its full potential, how often should I do routines. Not minimum, I’m talking about to become as strong as you guys are! Much appreciated!
Hey Casey,
There are a few good blogs which you should read to get started:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/calisthenics-workout-for-dummies-8-frequently-asked-questions/
With regard to training frequency:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/the-quick-guide-to-bar-brother-training-resistance/
This should get you up and running!
Beast Mode ON!
What is the best time for exercise?
Hey Khan,
Read this blog:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/calistenics-nutrition-get-below-body-fat/
You will understand what the best time is and why.
In addition to that it also depends on your working and social life, but biologically the best time is when your insuline is low and your testosterone is high. Read the blog posts to find out how you can do this.
Beast Mode ON!
Hi,
Regarding the diagrams above which one is muscle up routine? thanks man
Hey John,
You can find the routine here!
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/16-intermediate-calisthenic-workouts-bar-brother-routines/
Beast Mode ON!
Hey there,
I started working out about a year ago, getting my body increasingly fitter. I was browsing and hit this website. It gave me quite some energy and inspiration to start doing something else, so thanks for that. Just a question, the goal I set for myself is the ‘Human Flag’. Now I’ve read the blogposts and seen that I should do that intermediate workout 3x a week (my training frequency) + for example 1x abs, 1x legs/fullbody, 1x chest.. Is this about right? The intermediate workout says I should do muscle ups, which I am NOT able to do :P. Should I focus on that seperately as well?
Thanks for this website and all the info. Helps alot!
Hey Martin,
Sounds like you have been seeing some good results!
My advice to you would be to do the muscle up routine every single training. Start with this routine, then do another additional routine, once you have mastered the muscle up. You can start focussing on the human flag. The muscle up is a must. It will also give you more strength for the human flag.
1. First do the muscle up routine every training + another routine
2. Once you have mastered the muscle up, progress to the human flag + another routine.
Beast Mode ON!
Hey bro! Se puede entrenar los 7 dias de la semana? , quiero ganar masa muscular
Saludos desde Mexico!
Hey Alan,
Hablo un poco de español, pero si he entendido bien. Pregúntese si usted necesita entrenar siete veces a la semana. Esta debe ser al menos 3 veces por semana durante 45 minutos. Leer este blog para más información:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/the-quick-guide-to-bar-brother-training-resistance/
Beast Mode On!
Hey!
I’ve recently started with calisthenics and trying to figure out a good trainingprogram for myself. But the struggle I have is that my energy drains out after 2 exercises. I can do 3×8 pullups and 3×10 pushups. But after that I’m completely exhausted and aren’t able to do any more sets which includes anything with my arms. Do you have any good tips on how to train the endurance in my muscles?
Keep the good work up!
Cheers from Sweden
Hey Bjorn,
Really good that you are pushing your limits.
This is probably not going to be the answer you want, but the only answer to your question is to train more.
In addition to that, you can also improve your progress by boosting your testosterone:
http://www.barbrothersgroningen.com/6-tips-to-double-your-testosterone-supplements/
Don’t expect overnight results, it takes at least a month of training 3 times a week to start experiencing and seeing your first results.
Beast Mode ON!