In Calisthenics, the Resistance is Ultimately Provided by My Own Body Weight

In Calisthenics, the Resistance is Ultimately Provided by My Own Body Weight

You know, when I first started working out, I thought "resistance" meant someone trying to drag me out of bed at 5 AM for a morning jog. Turns out, in the world of fitness, resistance has a whole different meaning, especially in calisthenics. It’s not about fighting against the urge to stay in bed—nope—it’s about fighting against your own body weight. Yeah, I didn’t see that coming either. 

I'm the weight

When Gravity Became My Workout Partner

When I first dived into calisthenics, I didn’t need to buy fancy gym equipment or shell out cash for a personal trainer (although, ironically, now I am one). No dumbbells? No problem. No barbells? Who cares? In calisthenics, the resistance is ultimately provided by none other than gravity—and trust me, it’s always there, waiting to pull you down (literally).

If you’ve ever tried to do a push-up after a long break, you know exactly what I’m talking about. That moment when you lower yourself and wonder why the floor feels so far away—that's gravity giving you a warm “Welcome back!” And, of course, your own body weight is more than happy to assist gravity in making the exercise extra challenging.

The Day I Realized I Weigh More Than I Thought

The concept of using body weight as resistance sounded like a piece of cake at first. How hard could it be? I mean, it’s just my body, right? Well, turns out, I’m a lot heavier than I gave myself credit for. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to do a one-arm push-up, but the first time I attempted it, I was convinced that my body was made of bricks. Spoiler: I did not get back up from that push-up.

The beauty of calisthenics is that you don’t need to adjust weights between sets—you just adjust your exercises. But I quickly realized that my own body weight was more than enough “resistance” to keep me sweating. Want a harder challenge? Try adding more body parts into the mix—one-legged squats, anyone? Or maybe the notorious planche, where you balance on your hands and pretend like gravity doesn’t exist for a hot minute. Yeah, I’m still working on that one. 

Squats: My Love-Hate Relationship

Now, let’s talk about squats—those wonderful, evil creations that make your legs scream but also make you feel like a superhero afterward. I’ve always believed in a good leg day, mainly because I don’t want to look like a walking triangle—big arms, small legs? No, thank you. Squats, in particular, became my go-to move. I do 100 squats for 3 sets (yeah, I know, I’m a little crazy), and trust me, when you’re squatting your own body weight that many times, you really start to feel it.

And the best part about calisthenics squats? The resistance never stays the same. Some days, my legs feel like they're made of steel, and I’m cruising through my sets like I could squat Mount Everest. Other days, it feels like I’ve attached lead weights to my ankles, and each squat is a battle between me and gravity. Who knew my body weight could be so unpredictable?

The Calisthenics Awakening: No Equipment, No Excuses

The beauty of calisthenics is in its simplicity. It’s just you and your body weight, anywhere, anytime. No gym membership, no expensive equipment. You could literally work out on your living room floor (which, by the way, I have done more times than I’d like to admit). Push-ups? Check. Planks? Easy. Dips? Just grab a sturdy chair. The resistance is always there, whether I’m on my bed or on the beach.

Let’s not forget the best part—you can’t lose your equipment. Trust me, I’ve misplaced dumbbells before, but it’s a lot harder to misplace your own body weight. And when you realize that the world is your gym, everything becomes a workout opportunity. Waiting in line at the grocery store? Boom, calf raises. Brushing your teeth? Bam, wall sits. It’s all about maximizing your time—and, of course, letting your body weight be the gift that keeps on giving.

My Body: My Best (and Worst) Workout Partner

But let’s get real—sometimes, working out with just your body weight isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. Yes, it’s efficient and effective, but it also comes with its fair share of struggles. For instance, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with gravity. Pull-ups? Forget it. The first time I attempted a pull-up, my body and gravity teamed up to pull me down faster than you can say “resistance training.” I ended up hanging there like a wet towel, and I’m pretty sure I heard gravity snickering in the background.

And don’t even get me started on the pistol squat. You know, that one-legged squat that looks so cool in videos but feels like you’re trying to sit down on an invisible chair? Yeah, my body weight doesn’t like that one very much. But hey, the resistance is real, and it’s what makes calisthenics so beautifully challenging.

The Constant Challenge of Body Weight

One thing I’ve learned through my calisthenics journey is that my body weight never stays the same. Some days, I feel light and strong, like I could lift the entire world. Other days, it feels like gravity decided to play a cruel joke, and I can barely push myself off the floor. The great thing, though, is that the challenge is always there. Whether I’m feeling strong or weak, the resistance provided by my own body weight is constant. It’s like having a workout partner who’s always ready to push me a little harder—whether I like it or not.

Resistance: The Friend I Didn’t Know I Needed

At the end of the day, resistance training in calisthenics is more than just fighting against gravity—it’s about building strength, both physically and mentally. It’s about pushing through the moments when your body wants to give up and realizing that you’re stronger than you think. The resistance provided by my own body weight has taught me patience, persistence, and a little bit of humility (because nothing humbles you faster than failing a push-up).

So, if you’re thinking about starting calisthenics, just remember: the resistance is ultimately provided by your own body weight. And while that may sound easy at first, don’t be fooled—your body will surprise you. But that’s the fun of it! No two workouts are ever the same, and every time you defeat gravity, it’s a small victory worth celebrating.

And if you ever feel like giving up, just remember—you’ve always got your body weight right there to keep you grounded (literally).