Calisthenics facts for kids

Flight deck calisthenics exercising aboard USS Bonhomme Richard.

Calisthenics is a series of exercises used to develop strength, power and balance or a repeated rhythmical exercise that uses the weight of the body as resistance or the systematic exercises for attaining strength-gracefulness or the practice of calisthenic exercises.

The name calisthenics is Greek in origin, a combination of the words 'beauty' and 'strength'.

Calisthenics is recommended for general good health, light exercises designed to promote general physical fitness.

Related pages

• Equilibrioception
• Flexibility training
• Jogging
• Training
• Weight training

Images for kids

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  School children perform sit-ups, a common type of calisthenic, during a school fitness day.

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  Roper's Gymnasium, Philadelphia, circa 1831. Climbing, balancing and gymnastics have been popular forms of calisthenic exercise throughout history and are still practiced in the modern day.

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  A squat exercise. After squatting down, the exerciser stands up again while moving their hands back to their sides.

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  Practicing the wall walk, an exercise for achieving handstands

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  Plank on medicine balls

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  The fireman's carry is a simple co-operative calisthenic exercise which can be used to improve general strength and fitness. Such exercises can also be used to prepare for situations where carrying someone might be required to rescue them, as demonstrated by these US Marines.

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  Park in Osdorp, Amsterdam, NLD where one can practice calisthenics.

See also

In Spanish: Calistenia para niños