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Biomechanical Classification of Exercises
This classification system helps organize exercises based on mechanics, making it easier to program and monitor training. Exercises are primarily divided into compound and isolation movements, with further subcategories based on joint action, body region, and contraction type. Additional descriptors, like static vs. dynamic, unilateral vs. bilateral, and range focus, offer precision in understanding exercise demands and tailoring them to specific training goals.
Kinematics of Human Movement
This article explores kinematics—the study of motion without reference to forces—as it applies to human movement in exercise and calisthenics. Understanding concepts like joint rotation, range of motion, and angular velocity helps coaches and athletes describe movement precisely and analyze exercises effectively. Mastering these basics lays the foundation for deeper insights into biomechanics and training design.
Forces & Torques - Statics
This article introduces the fundamental concepts of force and torque, which are essential for understanding how movement occurs in the body. By focusing on static conditions—where no motion or acceleration takes place—we can analyze how forces interact and create rotational effects at the joints. These principles form the foundation for evaluating exercises and understanding the mechanical demands placed on the body during calisthenics.
Training Organizational Levels
This article explores the different organizational levels of training, from individual repetitions all the way to multi-year training careers. Understanding these levels helps structure training more effectively, whether you’re a competitive athlete or simply aiming to train with more purpose. You’ll learn how each level contributes to progress and how to focus your planning based on your goals and experience.
Supersets
Supersets are a training method that involves performing two exercises back-to-back with minimal or no rest in between. They can be structured to target different muscle groups (staggered or alternating sets) or the same muscle group (compound supersets), and are often used to save time or increase training intensity. This article explores the types of supersets, their physiological effects, and what the research says about their effectiveness in calisthenics and resistance training.
Muscle Contraction Process
Muscle contraction is the foundation of all movement and force generation in the human body. This article breaks down how the nervous system initiates contraction and how tension is produced through both active mechanisms like the cross-bridge cycle and passive mechanisms like titin. Understanding this process is essential for grasping how calisthenics and other forms of exercise actually work at a physiological level.
Muscle Action Modes
Understanding how muscles generate tension under different conditions is essential for analyzing movement and optimizing training. In this article, we explore the primary muscle action modes—concentric, eccentric, and isometric—as well as passive stretching, and how they influence force production and exercise performance. Grasping these distinctions provides a foundation for better exercise programming and deeper insight into calisthenics mechanics.
How to Deload, Pivot, Taper?
Lighter training periods such as deloads, pivots, and tapers are essential tools in long-term training planning. They involve strategic reductions in training demands to promote recovery, prevent stagnation, and maintain long-term progress. This article explores each approach, when and why to apply them, and how they can be practically implemented in a calisthenics training program.