list of calisthenics equipment to take your training to the next level:

Workout Gloves

Wearing workout gloves is more of a personal preference. But wearing gloves can be helpful to protect your hands from calluses, provide wrist support, aid grip and comfort.

Fingerless gloves work best for calisthenics, since they allow you to have more dexterity.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are versatile and portable. They come in 3 different materials: Latex, rubber and fabric. Each material has their own strengths and weaknesses. Is best to choose a type based on the type of exercise you’ll perform.

Latex resistance bands are the most versatile. They come in a variety of tensions to increase the challenge. Latex resistance bands can be used for warmups, assisted exercises, strength training and flexibility. For lower body is better to use fabric resistance bands.

Fabric resistance bands come in a variety of tensions and thickness like the latex ones, but they are softer, have more grip and are more durable. They are ideal for leg exercises since they don’t roll up, pinch your skin or move around.

The key differences between fabric and latex resistance bands is that fabric bands are more comfortable, have better grip and more durable but are more expensive. While Latex resistance bands are cheaper, very versatile, more flexible than fabric, but need to be replaced more often.

Rubber or TPE resistance bands are an even more affordable option, perfect for beginners or people with latex allergies. Although keep in mind the flexibility and quality is not as great as Latex.

Parallettes

Parallettes come in different materials such as wood, metal and a mix between the two. They are great for various reasons:

• Keep your wrist in a neutral position, minimizing wrist strain and pain.
• They give you elevation to practice skills and increase range of motion,
• Are comfortable for the hands to grip, and allows you to train in different surfaces outdoors.

Mini parallettes – Offers great portability. They are affordable, minimalistic, lightweight, and easy to put away and store in small places.

Medium parallettes- Offers more stability and height for a larger range of exercises, but they are not as portable as mini parallettes.

High parallettes- Because of the height these offer an even larger range of exercises, now including dips and pull ups. They are indispensable if you’re looking to training seriously.

Pull Up Bar for home

A pull up bar is a horizontal bar, designed to support your bodyweight for exercises. Pull exercises are a crucial part of calisthenics, and fortunately they are affordable. When purchasing, look for 300lb minimum weight. Usually pull up bars on the low price range may offer only one grip position, but spending a little more on pull up bars with various grip positions is worth considering.

Wall Mounted Pull Up bar

Since wall mounted pull up bars have to be secured to a wall with screws it offers great stability to perform dynamic movements confidently. Because its a permanent set-up, you won’t need to worry about assembly or disassembling, and no wobble. Usually they are made of metal, are affordable and it can last years, so you’ll get every dollar its worth out of it.

Pull Up Bar for door

The most popular door pull up bars are pressure mounted bars and hook-over-the-frame bars. They are popular for renting properties because they don’t require any drilling, are fast to install, and are removable. Door pull up bars typically cost $20-$50 ranging in grip variations and sturdiness levels, some may even come with a hook for assistance bands. Because of being anchored to a doorframe, these limit your ability to practice dynamic movements and there may be mobility restrictions. For safety make sure the door frame is solid wood, not a hollow trim. And practice controlled reps, no bouncing or swinging.

Free standing Pull Up Bar & Dip Station

This is a self supported structure, usually made of metal. Highly durable and stands alone without the need of a wall, roof or doorframe. Generally they offer great stability even for dynamic movements (depending on model). While there are very affordable options– for a pull up bar and dip station its worth spending a bit of extra money for sturdiness so you can perform all exercises confidently, as the station will take a lot of space after all. Some models may bring hooks for bands, grip variations rings etc. A great station will be 7 feet tall, and should match your shoulder width comfortably.

Weighted Vest

Wearable resistance gear used to distribute weight thought the torso to increase the intensity of bodyweight exercises. When first using its important to start small to avoid injury. There are plate-loaded vests that allow you to control how much weight is in them. Weighted vests are a great hands-free way to progressively overload, which makes them great for calisthenics and even walking. When buying a weighted vest, its good to go for quality options to avoid injury. The ideal vest will be adjustable to your body, fit snug, won’t shift or bounce, is made of a breathable material and evenly distributes the weight on your torso. It’s recommended to warm up well before wearing the vest, as the weight will stress the joints.

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