Bodybuilding Versus Calisthenics Physique – The Ultimate Showdown
Since we remember, and believe us that was a long time ago, fitness enthusiasts have been comparing calisthenics physiques with bodybuilders.
There are hundreds of characteristics separating the two, the most significant being bodybuilders have considerably more muscle mass than a calisthenics physique. Thus, you can tell the two apart by the thickness of their arms, legs, and neck.
Traditionally, it was easy to tell the two apart; but, due to the increasing popularity of hybrid training (mixing bodyweight exercises with weight training), the spectrum of variation has narrowed.
That means, there’s no better time than now to compare and contrast bodies. Whether you want to know which suits your lifestyle or are curious about what people think – we have got it all covered in this article!
Table of Contents
- What’s The Differences Between A Calisthenics and Bodybuilding Physique
- Are There Similarities Between A Calisthenics and Bodybuilding Physique
- Is A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique More AttractiveÂ
- Is It Easier To Get A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique
- Which Physique Is Practical – A Calisthenic Or Bodybuilder
- Does A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique Get More Attention
- What’s Our Preference – Bodybuilding Or Calisthenics Physiques
What’s The Differences Between A Calisthenics and Bodybuilding Physique
If you know what you’re looking for it’s impossible to mix the two up. In fact, be cautious reading the next paragraph as you won’t be able to look at them the same!
A bodybuilder’s physique is more pumped than a calisthenics build. Their veins will be popping, muscles will be ballooned, and overall have a more jacked look, (almost unnatural). While a calisthenics build is less intense, but still be as ripped.
This is to be expected since bodybuilders train for muscle hypertrophy and size; whereas calisthenics focuses on compound movements and bodyweight exercises.
Let’s take a look at a real-life example:
Chris Hereia (Calisthenics)
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Bodybuilder)
Body Frame
While both are as ripped as each other, the bodybuilder’s physique is noticeably bulkier and his muscles are more swole. So, as there is more meat to the bone, they naturally carry a far bigger frame.
This also means the smaller muscles have a lot more presence. For example, his traps are like rocks comparing them to Chris’s.
Muscle Mass
You should also take note of how compact/dense Arnold’s muscles are. Look at the lats, biceps, and shoulders. It’s like comparing a steak to a beef burger! The muscles are rounder, chunkier, and peak taller.
This shouldn’t be surprising since bodybuilders sculpt their bodies, whereas a calisthenics physique is a product of their training. So it’s guaranteed when it comes to the bodybuilder’s body, almost everything is intensified.
Upper and Lower Chest
A bodybuilder’s chest will always be broader than a calisthenics physique – simply because their training program incorporates more overload exercises.
In the photo above, see how Arnold’s upper chest is as meaty as his lower chest. Whereas, Chris has a well-developed lower chest, but it gets less muscular towards his neck.
Legs
When it comes to Arnold’s legs, they’re those of elephants! His quads look like they’ve been stuck onto him due to their sheer size and definition. Unfortunately, legs are a touchy subject in the calisthenics world. They aren’t trained often so are slender and thin.
Venous
Check out the veins. Especially in Arnold’s arms, around the elbows, it’s like the roots of a tree. They pop out ferociously and add to the look of having a pump. While Chris does have veins running through his biceps they aren’t as thick or as many. But, remember, Arnold was on steroids!
Skin And we nearly forgot… All bodybuilders have a gorgeous tan layered on their skin, but a calisthenics body won’t!
Are There Similarities Between A Calisthenics and Bodybuilding Physique
It’s undeniable that when you put the two side-by-side, there are similarities. But, apart from ‘looking in good shape’ it’s hard to pinpoint the exact areas which are alike.
Both physiques have extraordinarily low body fat (10% or less). Therefore, a calisthenics and bodybuilding frame share traits such as high muscle definition, chiseled jaw features, and a toned body.
What’s interesting is, though they share these traits, it’s a result from different places. For example:
- Bodybuilders have low body fat because they’re conscious of what they eat and are on strict diets.
- Calisthenics athletes have low body fat due to the many calories burned from it being a high-intensity activity.
You can see below, both bodies are toned and you can easily see muscle curvature and shape.
Calisthenics Physique
Bodybuilder Physique
We can go even deeper into the rabbit hole and point out isolated features that are similar.
The first is a pinched waist. Both aim for a “V-shape” body – broad back and shoulders that narrow down to a thin waist. You can see this in the photo where there’s a “V-cut” near the pubic bone. In many areas, this is one of the most desired features to have as it highlights minimal fat near the waist.
Calisthenics and bodybuilders have raging six-packs. Virtually all bodyweight exercises use the core, hence, the calisthenics physique has superb abdominals and obliques. And, in the world of bodybuilding, the six-pack is one of the most aesthetic parts of the body – so they make sure to craft it beautifully.
Is A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique More Attractive
We always say beauty is in the eye of the beholder; but, there is always a law of averages. And our research highlights one is more attractive than the other.
A calisthenic physique is almost always more attractive than a bodybuilder’s. The general opinion is bodybuilders look too unnatural and freakish; whereas, a calisthenics physique is significantly more appealing and excites women more.
We investigated what women prefer. We found a sample size of 56 women who were asked if they found bodybuilders attractive, and the responses looked something like this:
| Response Answer | Number of opinions |
|---|---|
| No, it’s not attractive. | 45 |
| Yes/ personal preference. | 2 |
| In between – they would have to see a photo. | 6 |
| Invalid | 3 |
The results talk for themselves. Over 80% of the sample found a bodybuilder physique unattractive. Furthermore, in their full reply, they used adjectives such as “Gross”, “Eww” and “Nasty”. The majority was purely appearance, but some women explained how it would make them feel intimidated and small.
In saying this, the women into a bodybuilder frame were very invested. They explained how they “love (me) a strong man.”
Moreover, without prompt, they replied with what their ideal male build would be. Nearly all of them described a calisthenics build, for example, they mentioned “pretty lean”, “in shape and muscular”, and “well-defined muscle and tone.”
From this, it’s clear the majority of women prefer a calisthenics frame to a bodybuilder. Being chiseled, with low body fat and high definition is far more alluring to women. They much prefer to know their man is in good shape than them to be the biggest guy in the gym. Remember, (sometimes) bigger isn’t better!
What’s interesting is the extent to which the results leaned towards the “no” opinion. This suggests it’s more than personal preference, and could be biological coding. Here’s our explanation…
We are programmed to find health attractive, so we breed and maintain population. And since a calisthenics build is reflective of this, where a bodybuilder may be seen as unnatural, women are far more likely to be turned on by an athletic body.
It’s Not All Bad News For Bodybuilders…
Should this distract bodybuilders from pursuing their passion? Absolutely Not!
There are 4 billion females in the world, our results are based on 56! So, there are plenty of women who do find bodybuilders attractive. Plus, bodybuilders are far more likely to date a girl whose into her fitness too.
Besides, female attention shouldn’t be the reason for you to bodybuild. You should want to do it for you and you only.
Is It Easier To Get A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique
The chances are you have in mind the body you want. But what exactly do you have to put in to achieve it?
A lot more discipline and commitment is needed to be a bodybuilder. Their diet and training split is stricter since they must ensure their body is in peak appearance for competition. However, when it comes to a calisthenics physique, a more laid-back approach can be taken to see results.
This isn’t to say a calisthenics body is easy to achieve. Instead, they can afford more cheat days and skip a few training sessions; but, a bodybuilder can’t. They commit their lives to looking their best, and for purposeful reasons:
Bodybuilding is centered on physique and having the most muscular body. Whereas, a calisthenics build is just a byproduct of the exercises they do. In other words, calisthenics athletes don’t prioritize their frame, but a bodybuilder does. So, it’s only natural that it’s harder to attain.
The challenges bodybuilders go through to get big are:
- Cycles of cutting and bulking (calorie deficits and surplus).
- A researched, personal training plan with no margin for slack.
- Habitually take vitamins, supplements, and other substances.
You don’t have to worry about half of these for a calisthenics physique. For the most part, all it relies on is you training hard and eating healthy. That’s it. Remember, calisthenics is a show of strength but bodybuilding is a show of body appearance.
Which Physique Is Practical – A Calisthenic Or Bodybuilder
You want your training to enhance your day-to-day life, not create struggle. But unfortunately, bodybuilding limits your mobility and can result in further damage in the long run.
Due to the density and size of their muscles, a bodybuilder physique isn’t practical. Simple actions such as holding your arms in front of you, or scratching your back are strenuous. A calisthenics physique is far more supreme for real-life strength and easy to maneuver.
Let’s put a few basic scenarios out there:
| Day-To-Day Activity | A Bodybuilder’s Struggle |
|---|---|
| Walking through a door. | Wide shoulders, often 20″+, means you walk through sideways as you can’t directly fit through narrow door passages. |
| Putting on clothes. | Lack of mobility and flexibility makes it effortful to put clothes over your head and pull them down to your waist. (That’s if you find clothes in your size!) |
| Sitting on an airplane. | Your bulky frame means you often can’t fit on a single airplane seat without being extremely uncomfortable. |
The world isn’t designed for everyone to be built like a bodybuilder. So while it’s great for competition, when it’s off-season their size creates problems on problems.
When you go through these activities with a calisthenic physique, you won’t even see them as a challenge. Unlike bodybuilding, there are no scenarios where a calisthenic physique works against you. In fact, it’s way more likely to assist with whatever task you’re doing.
Your high relative strength, powerful core, and muscle endurance mean you’re capable of lifting, walking, pushing, etc. What’s better, you maintain a low profile and a smaller frame; so, you aren’t troubled with being too large.
Does A Bodybuilder Or Calisthenics Physique Get More Attention
A bodybuilder and a calisthenics athlete walk into a bar… No, we aren’t telling a joke! If they were in two identical environments, who would get more attention?
A bodybuilder always gets more attention than a calisthenics physique. Their huge build gives more presence, which can be intimidating for some and impressive for others. Whereas a calisthenics frame can go unnoticed, especially out in public.
And there’s good reason for this. Fully clothed, you will never be able to identify a calisthenic body. They have a “sleeper build” – you only know they’re jacked once topless. But, a bodybuilder’s muscle is easy to distinguish. Even with a hoodie on, you can tell they’re packing.
So, it’s only natural people are drawn to a bodybuilder and not a calisthenics athlete. Take a look below, they’re the same people we illustrate above. But, when they’re wearing clothes, you see how Chris looks no different from average, but Arnold stays looking impressive.
Chris Heria
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Okay, so let’s say both builds are in a gym’s changing room. So, you can see the muscles of each individual. In this instance, who gets more attention?
The winner goes to a bodybuilder again. There are two main reasons why people are more impressed:
- A bodybuilder’s frame is much more bold and aggressive looking. From the raging veins to the concrete traps, the physique screams at you so loudly, that it’s difficult not to look. Whereas a calisthenics build is far more relaxed, and “soft” around the edges that it doesn’t force people to take note of it.
- A calisthenics frame is a variation of an athletic body. Sports players, cross-fit enthusiasts, and rock climbers all have similar physiques, so it’s common to come across. How many times have you seen an athletic build? Quite a few times, right?
Okay, how many bodybuilders have you seen? I doubt many. The distinct physique is exclusive to bodybuilding so they’re rarer to see. And because of this, they attract more attention.
What’s Our Preference – Bodybuilding Or Calisthenics Physiques
The majority of the LiftOutdoors team favors a calisthenics physique. The person writing this blog, Zac, has this to say on why he thinks it’s better:
- Personal preference – I think a calisthenics build is more aesthetic than a bodybuilder’s. I much prefer to be ripped with a moderate amount of muscle than having a huge frame.
- Commitment – I’m always on the move so don’t have consistent access to a gym. Because of this, I find a home bodyweight workout more effective in achieving the physique I want.
- Low-Key – I’m an understated athlete. I like the fact you won’t know I have the body I do if I’m wearing a T-shirt. There are times I like to show off my body, and other situations where I want the option to cover it up.
My Compromise:
A pure calisthenics physique is smaller than I would like. By this, I mean the shoulders are too narrow – I prefer round deltoids, with a much wider frame. To overcome this, I incorporate hybrid training to supplement muscle hypertrophy in the upper body.
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