Description of the activity and experience:
Calisthenics is a relatively new form of training introduced in Surat. It involves making use of core strength and body weight to make aesthetic movements and improve overall physical strength. With playing basketball and regularly going to the gym, I had a certain fitness level, however I wanted to learn a new way of exercising, and calisthenics seemed like my area of interest. Hence, I trained under the Coach Amit Sharma, and saw some significant progress, in terms of increase in arm strength, learning new exercises, increase in difficulty levels and overall body flexibility and stability.
Learning outcome 1:
I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses during my time of training:
Strengths
Endurance – With my previous training of playing basketball for 4 years, and regularly going to the gym, I had developed a good amount of endurance. This was further enhanced during circuit training, which involved performing 6 different exercises in 3 minutes, repeated 10 times. This put my previously built endurance to test and at the same time helped me develop more endurance.
Core Strength – I witnessed during the training that core exercises were easier for me to perform, and I was appreciated for my form and posture. This core strength also helped me in performing skills such as skin the cat and spider, which I mastered in a short span of time.
Weakness
Arm Strength – Before I joined Calisthenics classes I had negligible arm strength, I was unable to do push ups and other forms of arm based training. This was also a problem for me while playing basketball, since I couldn’t score 3 pointers becuase I lacked the arm strength. However this is one aspect I have shown the greatest improvement in, after completing my training I am now able to do different styles of push ups like (Finger, fist and clap), I was also able to do hand stand, which took me more time to learn compared to my other peers. However, at times I still lack the arm strength when it come to doing more set repetitions, pull-ups and chin ups. Hence, arm strength is still an area I need to work upon.
Flexibility – I was frequently told that I lacked flexibility, hence performing skill based task was extremely difficult for me. I also realized that I did not do cool down properly which was one of the reason for my body stiffness, thereby I started giving more time for cooling down and conditioning. Yet, flexibility is an aspect which needs significant improvement.
Learning Outcome 2:
- What was so challenging?
Calisthenics was challenging because there were not support equipment or I couldn’t adjust the amount of weight I wanted to take on becuase all the exercises were done using the entire body weight. Initially it resulted into severe muscle pain after the training, making it difficult for me to focus on my school work and other extra curricular activities. Secondly, it was a form of high intensity training which required both mental and physical efforts. Since, it made use of my entire body, my weakness did overpower my overall performance.
2. Why was it challenging?
This was challenging because it was a new form of training for me, hence understanding the training, learning the moves, and then mastering them posed to become a challenge. I also had a previous wrist injury, which acted as a hindrance while performing skills, handstand and arm based exercises.
3. How did I overcome this challenge?
With the help of my supervisor on the aspects that needed improvement on such as arm strength and flexibility I started with low intensity exercises and gradually moved towards high intensity so that I steadily develop my strength and improve my flexibility. As for my previous injury, becuase of it I used to refrain from doing certain exercises like double bar dips and handstand, however with the use of TheraBand, and guidance from my coach I was able to strengthen my wrist, it did take a long time, but I was able to over come the hindrance.
4. Have you done anything similar before?
I was going to the gym and we regularly and fitness sessions in basketball, which made me develop a few fitness components like endurance, agility and speed. However, Calisthenics was different it many ways, from my regular fitness routine hence there was a lot more to learn and experience.
5. How do I feel about undertaking this challenge?
I am glad that I took on this challenge and explored a new form of physical straining which helped me significantly work on my weakness and improve my overall fitness level. I am also proud of myself to overcome the fear of injruing my wrist again by mastering exercises that I was scared to even try. This training will not only help me in my calisthetics classes by also in my basketball performance, which greater arm strength and endurance my performance graph will increase.
6. Why is it important for you to undertake new challenges?
I have always been interested in new things and exploring my capabilities, which I why I developed a great interest in my calisthenics training. Taking on new challenges makes me feel empowered and boosts up my self-esteem. I was unable to do one push-up and now I could do different styles of it, which did make me genuinely happy as I could witness the progress first hand.
Learning Outcome 4:
- What made this activity difficult where perseverance or commitment was necessary? How did that make you feel?
This activity was difficult becuase it required both physical and mental efforts. High intensity training at times could me extremely physically draining, however in order to complete the repetitions and goals for that day, I needed to be self-empowered with required great determination and perseverance.
2. What commitment was needed for this activity?
I used to practice for 2 hours 6 days a week, inorder to reach the goals that I had set for myself, and show and improvement in my physical fitness level.
Final Take Away:
Calisthenics training helped me identify my strengths and weakness, and I was able to practice my strengths at the same time improve on my weaknesses. Taking on this new challenge gave a boost to my self esteem, since I was improving on my fitness level.
Evidences
