Why People Are Naturally Good At Calisthenics
Specific genetic traits (such as metabolism speed or relative strength) set beginner calisthenics athletes ahead of experienced ones due to their higher capability to lift their body weight. As a result, less effort is required to reach a certain standard, and a higher skill level can be maintained without persistent training.
Table of Contents
- How Gender Affects Calisthenics Ability
- Why Metabolism Speed Impacts Calisthenics Ability
- How Flexibility Can Alter Calisthenics Ability
- Why Balance Influences Calisthenics Ability
- How Strength Changes Calisthenics Ability
- Why People May Seem Naturally Good At Calisthenics
- Our Opinion On Naturally Good Calisthenics Athletes
How Gender Affects Calisthenics Ability
On average, men perform stronger, more impressive calisthenics stunts; however, woman executes their tricks with more flair and neatness. For example, a front lever may be gripped harder by a man but is held straighter by a woman.
A recent study shows the strength training completed by women and men and concluded that ‘the men were also stronger relative to lean body mass.’
Importantly, calisthenics has no point system – its personal preference to which is more impressive. So, it doesn’t mean women are better than men, or vice versa, but instead, they have different areas of strength and weaknesses.
Also, remember that this is an average; plenty of women are stronger than men, and loads of men are more fluent in their tricks than women.
Why Metabolism Speed Impacts Calisthenics Ability
Some lucky people have a naturally fast metabolism (high rate at which food is digested) which assists them in being a high-level calisthenics athlete. Here’s how:
A speedy metabolism enables athletes to eat whatever they like as the calories get burnt almost instantly, so their body fat levels remain low. This means any weight they put on is muscle mass. Therefore, athletes have a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing them to easily lift their body weight.
Your genetics determines metabolism speed. Therefore some people are great athletes without ever having trained in calisthenics.
On the other hand, athletes with a slow metabolism may train a lot; but put on significant weight once they eat. This results in a negligible change to their strength-to-weight ratio, making it no easier to lift their body weight.
It’s important to note that maximizing the fast metabolism advantage still requires strength training (weight, HITT, or circuit training) to some degree. Otherwise, your strength-to-weight ratio remains the same.
How Flexibility Can Alter Calisthenics Ability
A few people are born more flexible than usual, which grants a calisthenics advantage. Specific statics, such as the L-sit, require flexibility to execute flawlessly. So, assuming everything is the same, a more flexible athlete will have a better calisthenics ability.
As well as the ligaments, having flexibility in the supporting muscles during mobility exercises (like a ring pull-up) improves the move’s efficiency. The less flexible you are, the more strength is comprised, so you become exhausted a lot quicker.
Remember that flexibility can be gained by stretching, so you can reach the same level. However, you’ll have to train for it, whereas some people are naturally born flexible.
| Static | Area Of Flexibility Needed |
|---|---|
| L-Sit | Flexibility in the hamstring to fully extend the knee. |
| Wall Handstand | Flexibility in the deltoid to straighten elbows |
| Front Lever | Flexibility in the core and lower back muscles to hold your lower torso |
Why Balance Influences Calisthenics Ability
Floorwork in calisthenics requires balance to execute moves safely and correctly. Some people are born with more cambered palms than others, making standing on their hands much more manageable. Therefore moves like frog-stands, hand-stands, and floor L-sits can be learned a lot quicker.
While bar exercises also require balance, the range in skill won’t differ as much as it does with floor work. This is because you derive balance on a bar from grip strength rather than the ability to control your body weight (which you need on the floor).
It’s far more difficult (though not impossible) to improve your balance, as it is something like flexibility, so most individuals use their balance to the best of their ability. So, being born with good balance puts you ahead of many other calisthenics athletes.
Click here to find out how to improve your balance.
What a naturally bridged palm looks like
What a naturally bridged palm looks like
How Strength Changes Calisthenics Ability
Certain people are born with a higher fast twitch muscle fibers percentage, making them more able to perform explosive calisthenics movements, such as clap push-ups. This puts them ahead of average individuals, who take months to gain the necessary strength.
As well as higher fast twitch muscle fiber percentage, some calisthenics athletes also benefit from naturally having greater muscle endurance. This improves calisthenics ability because it enables them to hold statics for longer.
Naturally, having high strength in the core and upper body is advantageous for calisthenics; because most movements target these muscle groups. However, if you have naturally stronger legs, building momentum is easier, which assists during kipping bar exercises.
Why People May Seem Naturally Good At Calisthenics
Many people believe they are naturally good at calisthenics; however, in reality, their daily habits and environment have equipped their muscle fibers and fitness components to lift their body weight.
Some individuals may have never intentionally trained in calisthenics, though their jobs or sport incorporate an element of bodyweight lifting. For example:
- Rock Climbers.
- Gymnasts.
- Builders.
If you were to go on a pull-up bar after frequently participating in the above or similar, you would find yourself to be surprisingly good at calisthenics. If it’s your first time, you may believe you’re a natural; instead, you already have a high enough strength-to-weight ratio to lift your body weight.
Our Opinion On Naturally Good Calisthenics Athletes
Individuals can be born with genetic advantages that give them the opportunity to excel in calisthenics. However, it’s still necessary to put in the work and practice daily to make the most out of your genes. While the genes will set a solid foundation, it’s up to you to act on it.
Remember: “Hard work beats talent unless talent works hard” – Tim Notke. Your genetic advantage only has an impact once you work hard. So, it’s unfair to take away a calisthenics athlete’s credit if they are born with, e.g, flexible legs because significant work is still needed.
Having genetic perks mean you can afford to take more rest days without losing ability. This makes it easier to maintain a certain skill level. For example, a naturally strong individual doesn’t have to consistently lift weights to keep their strength levels, unlike someone without.
It’s extreme to say people ‘are naturally good’ as it infers people can also be naturally bad. Instead, we say there are genetic traits that can put you in front of the norm.
Only in rare occasions (such as being born with no arms) will your genes put you behind the average calisthenics skill level – and even then, hard work can put you ahead of the competition.
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