Calisthenics facts for kids

Main page: Physical fitness

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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  A US Marine performs a pull-up, a common calisthenic exercise.

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  Maurice Novoa practicing the wall walk, an exercise for achieving handstands
  

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  Plank on medicine balls

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