Calisthenics

[1] The Oxford English Dictionary describes callisthenics as "gymnastic exercises to achieve fitness and grace of movement".

The practice was recorded as being used in ancient Greece, including by the armies of Alexander the Great and the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae.

A disadvantage of these exercises is that it can be challenging to measure how much resistance is being added by the partner, when considered in comparison to free weights or machines.

[14] Disciples of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn brought their version of gymnastics to the United States, while Beecher and Dio Lewis set up physical education programs for women in the 19th century.

[16] The Royal Canadian Air Force's calisthenics program published in the 1960s helped to launch modern fitness culture.

The street workout consists of athletes performing calisthenics routines in timed sessions, in front of a panel of judges.

The World Calisthenics Organization (WCO), based in Los Angeles, California, promotes a series of competitions known globally as "the Battle of the Bars".

Freely accessible online maps exist that show the locations and sample photos of calisthenics parks around the world.

Picture of schoolchildren doing sit-ups
School children perform sit-ups , a common type of calisthenic, during a school fitness day.
A squat exercise. After squatting down, the exerciser stands up again while moving their hands back to their sides.
Practicing the wall walk, an exercise for achieving handstands
Plank on medicine balls
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. [ 10 ]
Roper's Gymnasium, Philadelphia, c. 1831 . Climbing, balancing and gymnastics have been popular forms of calisthenic exercise throughout history and are still practiced in the modern day.
Park in Osdorp , Amsterdam, NLD where one can practice calisthenics