Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this thing called “caladen” lately, and I figured I’d share my experience, ’cause why not? It’s been a bit of a journey, let me tell you.
First off, I had to get my head around what this whole “caladen” thing was even about. I did some digging around, and it turns out it’s all about bodyweight training, you know, using your own body as resistance. No fancy equipment needed, which is kinda cool.
Then, I started looking into the actual workouts. I mean, where do you even begin, right? I stumbled upon this list of exercises that are supposed to be like the foundation of calisthenics. Pull-ups, push-ups, squats, and a few others. I decided to give them a shot, starting with the basics.
- Pull-ups: Man, these are tough! I could barely do one when I first started. But I kept at it, trying to squeeze out a few reps every day. I even tried different variations, like those negative pull-ups where you jump up and slowly lower yourself down.
- Push-ups: These were a bit easier, but still a challenge. I focused on getting the form right, making sure my body was in a straight line and all that. I started with a few sets of 10, and gradually increased the number as I got stronger.
- Squats: I thought I was pretty good at squats, but boy was I wrong! Turns out, there’s a lot more to it than just bending your knees. I had to learn about proper form, keeping my back straight, and going deep enough.
I also realized that there’s this whole other level to calisthenics, which is the skill part. Things like handstands and stuff. I tried doing a handstand against a wall, and let me tell you, it’s a lot harder than it looks! It’s something I’m still working on, trying to get my balance and coordination down.
One thing I found out is that it’s better to do these skill-based exercises at the beginning of your workout when you’re still fresh. Makes sense, right? You need all your energy and focus for those tricky moves.
I’ve also been experimenting with adding weights to my workouts. Nothing crazy, just a weighted vest or some ankle weights. It’s a good way to make things more challenging as you get stronger.
Honestly, the whole process has been a lot of trial and error. I’ve had days where I felt like I was making progress, and other days where I just felt like giving up. But I kept pushing myself, and I’m starting to see some real results. I’m getting stronger, my form is improving, and I can do more reps than before. It just shows what happens when you don’t let yourself quit, you know?
My Main Takeaway
I’m no expert, but if there is something I learned it is that the most important thing is to just keep at it. Don’t be afraid to start small, and don’t get discouraged if you can’t do everything right away. It’s all about consistency and patience. It will be hard at the beginning but if you keep going just like I did, you will make it, I’m sure!
