21 Day Calisthenics Workout Plan to Kickstart Your Journey
In this article, we provide you with a complete 21 days body weight program to build muscle, get stronger and lose body fat. Because all you need is your body and a stopwatch, this is a home gym friendly program that anyone can do. If the rep counts listed are too challenging (or too easy), decrease or increase as needed.
The program consists of 21 days of workouts including days with active rest. It is widely believed that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Within these 21 days of workouts you should start to see a positive change in the way you think about exercise as well as a change in your body composition.
You should consider this 21 day program to be a springboard into a fitness lifestyle. It will provide you with a template that you can use when the 21 days is over to create your own program going forward.
The workouts are designed in circuit fashion where you do a series of moves and then rest before repeating the circuit. The rest between circuits varies according to your experience level and are categorized as Levels One, Two and Three as follows:
Level One - Beginner
Level Two - Intermediate
Level Three - Experienced
You will find links to video demonstrations for each exercise listed.
- Yourself
- Stopwatch or clock (to keep time)
We wanted to make this plan without any equipment required.
However, if you have access to the a pull up bar, you could replace the Reverse Snow Angel and Superman Pull with pull ups.
Before the workout you should do dynamic stretching, where you move your limbs through a full range of movement rather than holding them in an isometric contraction. After the workout, you should do some static stretching, where you hold the extended position for 5-10 seconds.
Here are 6 dynamic stretches that are tailored to prepare your body for the exercises to follow:
- Arm circles
- Body hugs
- Air squats
- Arms out torso rotations
- Legs spread apart down to the right, left and the middle
Go for a walk, jog or run. Move at a moderate pace that will elevate your heart rate and elevate your core body temperature but not exhaust you.
Day 1 – Legs & Glutes
- 40 Jumping Jack
- 20 Lunge
- 25 Squat
- 10 Star Jump
- 10 Reverse Cross Lunge
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times.
Cool Down with Static Stretches - 3-5 min
- 15 Burpee
- 10 Push Up
- 15 Reverse Snow Angel
- 40 Mountain Climber
- 25 Leg Raise
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
- 40 Russian Twist
- 10 Push Up To Plank
- 15 Bench \ Chair Dip
- 30-sec Plank
- 40 Crunch
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Go for a brisk walk or 10-20 minute light jog
Do some static stretching and rest up for optimal recovery
- 30 Full Plank Shoulder Tap
- 25 Leg Raise
- 10 Knee Bicep Push Up (kneeling optional)
- 40 Russian Twist
- 45-sec Plank
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
If you choose to do an active recovery exercise today that is ok. Just know that for today it's not mandatory. Make sure you are recovered for tomorrow's workout
Day 1 – Legs & Glutes
- 20 Jump Lunge
- 20 Squat To Alternate Leg Kickback
- 20 Alternate Glute Kickback
- 20 Floor Bridge
- 10 Fire Hydrant (right side)
- 10 Fire Hydrant (left side)
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Stretches 3-5 min
- 40 Russian Twist
- 10 Push Up To Plank
- 30s Side Plank (right side)
- 30s Side Plank (left side)
- 10 Bench \ Chair Dip
- 30 Alternate Heel Touch
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Go for a brisk walk or 10-20 minute light jog
Do some static stretching and rest up for optimal recovery
You can follow the plan in our app:
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Repeat 3 times.
If you choose to do an active recovery exercise that is ok. Just know that for today it's not mandatory. Make sure you are recovered for tomorrow's workout.
Day 1 – Legs & Glutes
- 20 Jump Lunge
- 10 Alternate Side Lunge
- 10 Glute Kickback To Fire Hydrant (right side)
- 10 Glute Kickback To Fire Hydrant (left side)
- 10 Single Leg Glute Bridge (right side)
- 10 Single Leg Glute Bridge (left side)
- 10 Star Jump
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
- 40 Russian Twist
- 10 Push Up To Plank
- 10 Side Plank Pulse (right side)
- 10 Side Plank Pulse (left side)
- 10 Floor Tricep Dip
- 30 Alternate Heel Touch
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Go for a brisk walk or 10-20 minute light jog
Do some static stretching and rest up for optimal recovery
- 10 Pike Push Up
- 15 Toe Touch Crunch
- 10 Knee Bicep Push Up (kneeling optional)
- 20 Leg Pull In
- 20 Alternate Heel Touch
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Repeat 3 times
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Rest between circuits:
- Level 1 (beginner) - 90 secs
- Level 2 (intermediate) - 60 secs
- Level 3 (experienced) - 30 secs
Cool Down with Static Stretches 3-5 min
Repeat 3 times
Congratulations you have completed this challenge!
If you’re able to follow this 21-day calisthenics workout, for the full three weeks, you will have achieved a great deal. Your aerobic and anaerobic fitness will sky rocket, your strength levels will increase and you’ll make major changes to the way your body looks and feels. You’ll also be instilling fitness as a part of daily habits, setting you up for a lifetime of health and wellness.
You’ve been getting great results after completing this workout program 2-3 times, but now you wonder what you should do next?Well, it’s time to go to the next level with this advanced calisthenics training plan for men:
And for women: