4 Best Calisthenics Books in 2024

Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (21 years of Oly Lifting experience)

Calisthenics (Greek: kallos ‘beauty’ + sthenos ‘strength’) is an umbrella term for exercises we all know and perform now and then. Push-ups, pull-ups, and squats are a few to name.

Our body weight is a great form of resistance to build strength and stamina. However, professional guidance can take your humble workouts to an advanced level. Yes, we’re talking about off-the-floor, eyebrow-raising handstands and planches. It doesn’t mean signing up for any program because these best calisthenics books contain everything you need to know, from hard-earned lessons to clear-cut techniques.

Best Calisthenics Books

Top 4 Best Calisthenics Books Reviewed

  1. Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength – Top Pick
  2. Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength ( Second Edition) – Runner-Up
  3. Complete Calisthenics, Second Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Exercise – Best For Experts
  4. Calisthenics for Beginners: Step-by-Step Workouts to Build Strength at Any Fitness Level – Best For Beginners
ProductTotalAuthor’s ExpertiseTraining TransferReadabilityMaterial and BindingPrice/
Quality
Convict Conditioning491010109.59.5
Overcoming Gravity48.5101099.510
Complete Calisthenics48.59.59101010
Calisthenics For Beginners47.59.59.51099.5

1. Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength – Top Pick

Convict Conditioning: How to Bust Free of All Weakness – Using the Lost Secrets of Supreme Survival Strength
  • Author: Paul Wade
  • Themes: Strength, Progression, Goal Setting
  • How it can help: By providing a to-the-point bodyweight training system that anyone can pick up.
  • For whom: Beginners to Professionals
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle
  • No. of Pages: 320
  • Publisher: Dragon Door Publications
  • Year of Publication: 2012

Who do you think deals with a life-and-death question every day? Athletes? Navy SEALs? This book says: prisoners! It’s brutal inmates that trigger the survival-of-the-fittest law. After navigating 23 years of incarceration, Paul Wade discovered rules of raw strength that flashy workouts overshadow. “Gym junkies today are all about appearance, not ability,” as he puts it! On page 20, he expresses his frustration with the industry’s current direction by “wanting to head to San Quentin and bang on the gate to go straight back in.”

Despite the unnecessary rant, Convict Conditioning is one of the all-time best books on calisthenics. It was the first to introduce progression. Big Six includes push-ups, squats, pull-ups, leg raises, bridges, and handstand push-ups. Each has its own chapter and ten variations, with the first being an amateur attempt while the master step challenges seasoned gymnasts too. You won’t have isometric movements like front levers and planches because the author is against isolation, whether through weightlifting or any other medium.

49 EXPERT SCORE

Convict Conditioning, a groundbreaking book on calisthenics, introduces the concept of progression and offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the Big Six exercises, providing ten variations for each to cater to all fitness levels.


Author’s Expertise:0
Training Transfer:0
Readability:0
Material and Binding:0
Price/Quality:0

Positives:

  • The main focal point is a functional training system, while the author's jail life is a subplot
  • It gives handy tips about journaling progress
  • The benefits of calisthenics and warming up are exquisitely laid out

Could be better:

  • No mention of static hold strength exercises

2. Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength ( Second Edition) – Runner-Up

Overcoming Gravity: A Systematic Approach to Gymnastics and Bodyweight Strength ( Second Edition)
  • Author: Steven Low
  • Themes: Physiology, Customization, Injury Prevention
  • How it can help: By answering all whys and hows of calisthenics, helping you forge your routine.
  • For whom: Beginners to Professionals
  • Formats: Paperback, Spiral-bound
  • No. of Pages: 590
  • Publisher: Battle Ground Creative
  • Year of Publication: 2016

OG will always be counted among the best calisthenics books because it leaves no stone unturned. The 600-page tome takes you from premise to theory to practice. Nobody can single-handedly compose it unless they're a former gymnast, certified trainer, and doctor of physical therapy. Here you have it; the introduction of Steven Low. Reading it cover-to-cover is a brain-teasing task for non-nerds due to lengthy textbooks and technical details. “The goal of Overcoming Gravity is to teach you how to construct effective routines.”

 Overcoming Gravity instagram
Photo by @mrtaggar

The second edition is well-planned with takeaway points, modified charts, 3D images, and layperson explanations. It's divided into five parts. Early chapters delve into physiology and the foundation of strength training, such as SAID Principal. The second and third parts are the heart of this book, letting you plan cycles, cross-train, and customize workout routines. Take the last two parts as a go-to resource that you'll revisit on hitting injuries, stress, or plateaus. The glossary of exercises at the end is truly a work of art.

48.5 EXPERT SCORE

The 600-page tome takes you from premise to theory to practice. Nobody can single-handedly compose it unless they're a former gymnast, certified trainer, and doctor of physical therapy.


Author’s Expertise:0
Training Transfer:0
Readability:0
Material and Binding:0
Price/Quality:0

Positives:

  • Includes a wealth of concentric, eccentric, and isometric exercises at each skill level
  • Extensive information about injury prevention and health management
  • It helps with constructing routines for yourself or your clients

Could be better:

  • No Kindle version due to inconsistent trim size

3. Complete Calisthenics, Second Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Exercise – Best For Experts

Complete Calisthenics, Second Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Exercise
  • Author: Ashley Kalym
  • Themes: Advanced Techniques, Progression, Nutrition
  • How it can help: By explaining as many advanced bodyweight movements as possible.
  • For whom: Intermediates and Professionals
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Spiral-bound
  • No. of Pages: 332
  • Publisher: North Atlantic Books
  • Year of Publication: 2019

If you want to kick your calisthenic game up a notch, this no-BS guide is made for you. Kalym comes from a military and sports background. Therefore, he explores more of a parkour side of calisthenics. You’ll see moves for not only strength but mobility and muscle-building as well. Most of the time, a picture beats a word salad. With more than 500 descriptive images, you’ll understand and incorporate each exercise without much hassle. Be mindful that the author assumes you already know how to pick and choose from the given assortment.

It includes rare advanced stunts, such as doing a human flag, front lever, and core development. Many ring exercises are brought up with anatomical accounts. Kalym has shared his personal diet plans. Most bodyweight workout books discuss training hours only. However, nutrition, rest, and recovery make an equal mainstay in Complete Calisthenics. One callout persists even in the latest edition, which is the paucity of leg training. The importance of lower-body engagement is continuously apprised but not fairly recompensed.

48.5 EXPERT SCORE

If you want to kick your calisthenic game up a notch, this no-BS guide is made for you. Kalym comes from a military and sports background


Author’s Expertise:0
Training Transfer:0
Readability:0
Material and Binding:0
Price/Quality:0

Positives:

  • A well-rounded calisthenics bible with complex movements, nutrition guidelines, and recovery tips
  • Over 500 black-and-white images simplify the instruction
  • Cuts non-value-adding content for exercise descriptions and progressions

Could be better:

  • Complete calisthenics for your core and upper body, not legs

4. Calisthenics for Beginners: Step-by-Step Workouts to Build Strength at Any Fitness Level – Best For Beginners

 Calisthenics for Beginners: Step-by-Step Workouts to Build Strength at Any Fitness Level
  • Author: Matt Schifferle
  • Themes: Motivation, Progression, Goal Setting
  • How it can help: By taking novices one step at a time to an introductory journey of calisthenics.
  • For whom: Beginners
  • Formats: Paperback, Kindle
  • No. of Pages: 162
  • Publisher: Rockridge Press
  • Year of Publication: 2020

Matt can be a tutor of rocket science at kindergarten. He has an innate ability to imprint complicated ideas in a straightforward manner. That’s why no other bodyweight training book geared for absolute beginners can come close to his prowess. The short reference manual is a mix of words and colored graphics, putting together an easy-to-follow plan. Many choose to limit newcomers to a handful of movements. But this pick features almost 40 dynamic exercises with progressions, variations, and modifications to keep them fun.

The founder of Red Delta and owner of a fifth-degree black belt maintains three levels, dubbed Stay Strong, Go Deeper, and Power Up. The correspondent pages are color-coded to help you jump through the workout intensity. Another unique approach is defining exercises by virtue of muscle activation. For example, hips, knees, heart, etc! The introduction is neatly put together. It quickly talks about safety, precautions, setup, diet, and goal-setting so you don't feel stranded. Anyways, it avoids judgment and sticks to science.

47.5 EXPERT SCORE

The short reference manual is a mix of words and colored graphics, putting together an easy-to-follow plan.


Author’s Expertise:0
Training Transfer:0
Readability:0
Material and Binding:0
Price/Quality:0

Positives:

  • This book presents a light-hearted and super-effective calisthenic program for beginners
  • Multiple exercises with their variations and modifications
  • Goal-setting section is a much-needed motivation pitch

Could be better:

  • Eventually, you’ll grow out of it and have to seek additional guidance

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3 Core Reasons Why Calisthenics Books Are Valuable

Calisthenics is the oldest discipline. Roman gladiators and Spartan soldiers weren't swinging barbells. The weight revolution of the mid-1900s engulfed media attention and buried it. Calisthenics can adjust your body composition and posture. It boosts muscle strength and thickness with progression techniques. And the cardiometabolic response of HIIT bodyweight training is chiefly downplayed. With the rise of street-borne shows, it has fortunately resurfaced in recent times.

✅ Reliable Guidance

A single search-engine query will show plenty of videos and guides. However, the proper map only resides in the minds of top-level athletes and coaches. A calisthenics workout book is key to this reliable and rare information.

✅ Theory and Techniques

Books connect all dots of the path ahead. What doesn't work in theory wouldn't work in practice. Therefore, you're left with the most effective and proven ways. Additionally, having a fool-proof program avoids mishaps and injuries.

✅ Progress Tracking

A benefit, not often talked about, is the availability of information and tools regarding periodization. Not only do they assist you while tailoring routines and setting goals, but they also keep measuring your progress.

trx workout

4 Steps How to Choose the Right Calisthenics Book

A bodyweight training book can be judged through two dimensions: content quality and overall construction.

1. Author's Background

Research the author's credentials and expertise beforehand. It plays a vital part in the efficacy of the program. Biographical snippets provide insights about the writer's own experiences and achievements.

2. Training Transfer

Transferability is the ratio of the implementable chunk. Don't mind science lessons, but most of them should talk about exercises. Select a book according to your fitness and physique goals.

3. Readability

High-quality materials and binding increase the lifespan. Design layout, writing style, and structure affect the readability of the content. Some authors invent unique terminology that warrants a sequential reading.

4. Price/Quality

Determine your budget. Kindle ebooks are your friend. They are cheap and permanent. Spiral-bound versions are pricey but easy to fold. Hardcovers generally cost the maximum.

ab exerxises using straps

FAQ

Is 30 Minutes of Calisthenics Enough?

A half-hour calisthenics session can be more than enough for your needs. Harvard Health estimates it burns 135-189 calories at a moderate and 240-360 calories at a vigorous pace. However, programs as brief as six-minute long have also been advised to fight the plague of a sedentary lifestyle.

Which Is the Best Calisthenic Program?

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all program for everybody. It depends on your goals and skills. Regardless, these tips will come in handy. Warm up with light-intensity sets. Perform two or three hard sets, afterward. When you’ve reached a rep target, dial up the difficulty level. A minimum of 48-hour rest is encouraged between two sessions of the same exercise.

Conclusion

Calisthenic aficionados are confident and cheerful. Convict Conditioning is the most sought-after work from the best calisthenics books library. It bluntly teaches you how to amass survival strength and become an elite. You might favor other writings, depending on your skill level and goals. But Paul Wade’s old-school approach is suitable for an average person starting out.

What do you think is an arduous calisthenic task, getting started or skipping to an advanced level? Feel free to drop your opinion in the comment section.

Also read:

References:

  1. SAID principle // Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAID_principle
  2. The effects of a calisthenics training intervention on posture, strength and body composition // Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/317321468_ The_effects_of_a_calisthenics_ training_intervention_on_ posture_strength_ and_body_composition
  3. Effect of Progressive Calisthenic Push-up Training on Muscle Strength and Thickness // LWW: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2018/03000 /Effect_of_Progressive _Calisthenic_Push_up _Training.9.aspx
  4. The Acute Physiological and Perceptual Responses Between Bodyweight and Treadmill Running High-Intensity Interval Exercises // Frontiersin: https://www.frontiersin.org/ articles/10.3389/fphys. 2022.824154/full
  5. Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights // Harvard: https://www.health.harvard.edu /diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
  6. Protocol for Minute Calisthenics: a randomized controlled study of a daily, habit-based, bodyweight resistance training program // Biomedcentral: https://bmcpublichealth. biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09355-4

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Ihor Shymechko

Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach

Experience: 26 years
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg

Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.

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Oleksiy Torokhtiy

Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion

Experience: 21 years
Best ResultsSnatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg

Oleksiy Torokhtiy is a professional athlete boasting 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. With multiple European and World titles under his belt, he has showcased his prowess in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Upon concluding his illustrious career, Oleksiy dedicated himself to coaching. By 2022, he had conducted over 200 weightlifting seminars worldwide. He is the visionary behind an international sportswear and accessories brand known for its motto, “Warm Body Cold Mind.” Additionally, he is an esteemed author and the creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.

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