Thank you Simon Imhauser · World Of Calisthenics

Thank you Simon Imhauser

I first found Simon about 1,5 years ago on Instagram, and it completely changed how I see calisthenics.

Before that, I thought you had to do bodybuilding or powerlifting to get really big and strong. I didn’t believe you could build a crazy physique and still do elite calisthenics.

But then I saw Simon, 85+ kg, shredded, doing 100 kg dips for reps and 100 kg pull-ups, and my whole perspective shifted.

At the time, I was just a guy with mid physique, nothing crazy, training mostly like a bodybuilder/average gym dude. I liked calisthenics, but I didn’t think it could make me jacked.

After following Simon and some other heavy-weight calisthenics athletes, I decided to go all-in on weighted basics, mainly pull-ups and dips, with just minimal gym accessories and a bit of calisthenics skills later. I also applied some powerlifting principles to get stronger, not just bigger.

The results blew me away. In the last 1.5 years I went from only doing bodyweight dips and pull-ups, to now:

+75 kg pull-up
+20 kg muscle-up
+50 kg dip for 5 reps (had to stop 6 motnhs ago due to sternum pain)

I am at 175 cm and 75 kg, pretty lean and stronger than ever. Along the way, I also picked up handstand push-ups, front lever, and even a crappy human flag. lol

I know this community is mainly about calisthenics skills, but I just wanted to share how adding weight to the basics completely changed my physique and made learning skills so much easier. Of course, skill work is still more specific, but the carryover from weighted basics is huge.

Thanks again Simon for the inspiration 🙌

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Thank you Simon Imhauser