Calisthenics
At Gymnase, located in Mile-ex (Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie in Montreal), we offer several calisthenics group classes with different objectives, including:
Calisthenics Fundamentals
A course that allows you to develop a solid foundation in calisthenics to train in power, strength, endurance and resistance. It also develops balance and agility, while strengthening the joints. This calisthenics workout is ideal for beginners.
Calisthenics Workout for Legs
A class that focuses on the lower body. To access the full strength and power of the legs, we develop the mobility of the hips, knees and ankles. And we adjust their alignment.
Advanced Calisthenics: Figures
A class where we develop the first steps towards static figures (handstand, front lever, back lever, L-sit) and versatile figures (muscle up, muscle up with rings, handstand push up, one arm chin up).
What is calisthenics?
Calisthenics, also known as street workout, can be defined as a type of workout that uses primarily one’s body weight. Without the need for additional weights or resistance, impressive muscle development and an excellent cardiovascular workout can be achieved - of course, weights or resistance can be added to the movements for increased difficulty.
One of the foundations of calisthenics is directly related to the Greek origin of its name: kallos (beauty) and sthenos (strength). Calisthenics workouts aim not only to achieve a more harmonious body through physical activity, but also beauty and harmony in the movement of the body with each exercise. Therefore, in calisthenics, the greatest sign of progress is the increasingly precise execution of each movement. For this reason, we recommend that during class you always focus on executing each exercise with the best possible form and control.
Benefits of calisthenics
You work multiple muscles at once
Push-ups, pull-ups and lunges are all bodyweight exercises that work multiple muscle groups at once. For example, performing a pull-up requires the use of your back and core muscles in addition to your biceps. This means that you are working your body harder in less time. You also teach your muscles to coordinate with each other, to develop in a functional way.
You burn more calories
Vigorous calisthenics burns more calories than many traditional aerobic activities. This is because, as mentioned above, calisthenic training requires greater muscular commitment.
Lower risk of injury
The risk of injury is lower in calisthenics as you are not lifting heavy weights. Because you were built to move in different ways, calisthenics is less demanding on your tendons, joints and muscles. You recover faster, which allows you to increase your workload throughout your exercise career and perform more workouts throughout the year.
Endurance
Calisthenics workouts improve and develop aerobic and muscular endurance while increasing your metabolic rate at rest. In addition, compared to Pilates, calisthenics is more effective in improving lower body coordination.
Calisthenics classes in Montreal
In the calisthenic group workouts offered at Gymnase, located in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, we perform a variety of exercises that target different goals (power, endurance, resistance, balance and agility) and body parts. Check out our schedule to choose the class that best suits you.
Throughout the session, instructors will adapt to each participant and you will be offered exercise options at different levels of difficulty.
Good to know about our calisthenics group classes:
Offered on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Duration of classes: 55-60 minutes
You will need a towel and a bottle of water.