I Got Into Calisthenics at 14 Years Old

I Got Into Calisthenics at 14 Years Old: A Tale of Awkward Push-ups, Determination, and Laughter

On 18th July, 2018 (my birthday), a scrawny 14-year-old me, staring in the mirror, flexing like I was auditioning for a superhero movie. Except instead of looking like Thor, I looked more like the guy who hands Thor his hammer. I was skinny, with noodle arms that had the structural integrity of wet spaghetti. But, like every teenager trying to figure out life, I had one mission — get shredded.

Why? Well, I blame Hollywood and that one time I saw a YouTube video of a guy doing a human flag. You know the one — where they grab a pole and somehow manage to defy the laws of gravity like they missed the memo from Newton. It looked like magic. I had to try it.

Dude proceeded to handstand for beginners 😂

So, I declared, “I’m going to get into calisthenics!” without even knowing what it meant. At 14 years old, I was convinced this was the key to becoming a fitness god. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

19th July: And... I Began

The very first day of my calisthenics journey was... tragic. I found a tutorial on how to do a pull-up. Seemed simple enough. You just pull yourself up, right? Wrong. Very wrong.

I approached the pull-up bar with the confidence of someone who had never attempted anything physical in their life. I jumped up, grabbed the bar, and immediately regretted all of my life choices. My body dangled like a sock on a clothesline, legs kicking wildly as I tried to convince gravity to give me a break. Spoiler: gravity doesn’t negotiate. 

After what felt like an eternity (probably 5 seconds), I let go and collapsed to the ground. My dreams of looking like a calisthenics beast were shattered. But hey, at least I tried.

Progressing to "Easier" Moves

Deciding that pull-ups were too advanced (obviously), I looked for “beginner” exercises. Push-ups seemed like a good place to start. I mean, who can’t do a push-up, right?

Oh, 14-year-old me had another thing coming.

My form was so bad that even my mom looked concerned. I went down, my arms shaking like I was holding up a skyscraper, and then… I stayed down. The floor became my new best friend. Push-ups? More like stay downs.

But, as they say, you’ve got to start somewhere. So, I spent the next few weeks flopping around like a fish out of water, doing what I generously called “workouts.” I probably looked more like I was auditioning for a comedy show than training for a fitness routine.

My First Victory (Kind of)

After weeks of wobbling and falling, something miraculous happened — I managed a full pull-up. One glorious pull-up. I felt like I had unlocked a new level in a video game. Never mind that I looked like a praying mantis while doing it; I was officially part of the calisthenics world now!

Cue the victory dance (which also probably looked like I was seizing, but let’s not dwell on that).

I went on to master (or at least survive) push-ups, dips, and even squats. My body started responding, too. Slowly, muscles started to appear in places I didn’t know muscles existed. Granted, I wasn’t turning into Hercules, but I was definitely on my way to becoming the guy who carries Hercules’ gym bag.

Calisthenics: The Teacher of Humility

If calisthenics taught me anything, it was humility. Nothing humbles you faster than trying to balance on your hands and face-planting into the ground. Handstands? Let’s just say gravity and I had several disagreements on that one.

But that’s the beauty of calisthenics — it challenges you in the best way possible. It’s a constant battle between you and your body. Sometimes you win, and sometimes your body reminds you who’s boss. For me, that usually ended with me lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, questioning my life choices.

Fast Forward to a year

Now, I’d love to say that by the time I turned 15, I was doing planks like a pro and had abs you could grate cheese on. But life doesn’t work like a movie montage. Progress came slowly. Every pull-up, push-up, and dip was hard-earned.

But I stuck with it. I kept pushing myself (and occasionally the floor) to get better. And, over time, I did. At 14 years old, calisthenics became more than just a way to build muscle — it became a passion. 

Sure, there were still plenty of embarrassing moments, like the time I tried to impress my friends by doing a pistol squat and ended up falling backward like a turtle stuck on its shell. Or the time I attempted a front lever and looked more like I was desperately trying to swim in the air. But through all the awkwardness, I learned to laugh at myself. 

Why Calisthenics is the Best (Even When You Look Ridiculous)

Let’s be real — calisthenics makes you look ridiculous half the time, especially when you’re just starting out. But that’s part of the fun. You get to see yourself improve, even if it’s just managing one more push-up or not collapsing after a set of dips.

And the best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. All you need is your body and a willingness to look a little silly. And trust me, if 14-year-old me could do it (eventually), anyone can.

So, if you’re thinking about trying calisthenics, go for it. Embrace the wobbles, the falls, and the awkward moments. You’ll laugh, you’ll struggle, and you’ll eventually surprise yourself. 

Oh, and if you ever manage to do a human flag? Let me know. I’m still working on that one.