The best Calisthenics Parks in Berlin

Calisthenics is a trend in the street-workout scene that has been going on for years and became known in the USA in the early 2000s. Similar to Freelatics, the sport does not require dumbbells - you train solely with your own body weight. However, you won't find fast cardio units and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) here. Instead, the movement sequences are performed calmly and with concentration. Calisthenics exercises are a whole-body workout that trains strength, stability and body control. For the basic exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, tricep-dips, squats and leg raises only a few pieces of equipment are necessary. We will explain which equipment is useful for the beginning and present the best parks in Berlin. So soon nothing will stand in the way of your workout!

A big advantage of street workouts is their diversity. By modifying a few basic exercises differently, the execution is varied and the load is increased bit by bit. For example, you can do push-ups on your knees until you have the necessary strength to do them with your knees raised. If you want to challenge yourself more, you can make your arms wider or narrower, practice with one arm or with your hands in diamond shape. The following equipment is used for the most comprehensive full-body workout possible:

Pull-up bars can be found in almost every Calisthenics Park in Berlin - they are one of the most basic training elements. Poles make it possible to practice pull-ups in various variations. So-called "snake bars" are also frequently used. These are chin-up bars that have a wave-like shape reminiscent of a snake (hence the name). This construction allows you to practice many types of holds in a small space.

Parallel bars are two bars that are built up next to each other. Maybe you still know it from the gym class in school. On the parallel bars you can train variations of tricep dips.

Wall bars are gymnastics equipment that is more likely to be found in gymnasiums. Sometimes they are also part of a particularly well-equipped park. Various exercises for the trunk muscles can be performed on them, for example the so-called "Human Flag". You hold on to two bars of the wall bars and lift the body through your abdominal tension so that it seems to float horizontally to the ground.

These are rungs arranged side by side parallel to the floor. You can use them to shimmy along or to practice pull-ups. Shimmying trains strength and stability - in the upper body, hands and shoulder girdle.

Gymnastics rings are also devices that are more likely to be found in gymnasiums. The special thing about them is that they resonate when you practice pull-ups or muscle ups on them. Therefore you need additional strength and body tension to stabilize the constantly moving rings. Now we finally come to the places where you can start training in Berlin.

The good news if you are interested in street workouts: Berlin is full of outdoor workout parks. The more than 60 facilities are spread all over the city. The bodyweight scene is also one of the largest in Germany. Well-known events like Bar Warz or the Bar Warrior Competition take place regularly in Berlin. These outdoor parks are especially popular with Berliners:

The Kenguru.pro in Moabit is located directly at the Post Stadium. You will find chin-up bars, several bars, a wall bar, monkey bars, ab trainers and low bars. The park is divided into two different training areas. So group workouts can take place - if one area is used by a group, individual training can still take place on the other. In addition to solo training, regular workouts of the group Barliner Workout are organized here, which was instrumental in setting up this outdoor gym. At Kenguru.pro events like the above mentioned "Bar Warz" or the "World Pull Up Day" have already taken place in the past. Furthermore, Barliner Workout hosts the YKings Mannfall Sessions (YKMS), which are associated with the Fitness App Community YKings.

The beautiful Monbijoupark is located directly on the banks of the Spree with a view of the Museum Island. Next to a small playground you will find a variety of fitness equipment. These were renewed in 2017 and replaced by high-quality, uniform equipment from the manufacturer Turnbar. The Monbijoupark is a top calisthenics park in Berlin with a unique atmosphere, which is accordingly well visited in summer. Although you may have to expect waiting times at the individual machines, you can easily get into conversation with other athletes. At Monbijoupark you will find a pull-up bar, a barrier-free bar, a pole bar, monkey bars and wall bars. There is also a running track and various jumping platforms.

The Böcklerpark is located directly at the Landwehrkanal, in the kieziger kreuzberg area. In the midst of greenery families with children and dogs come together to relax, see couples in love and first dates. The Calisthenics Park includes pull-up bars, parallel bars, slope ladders, wall bars and push-up bars.

The park at Gleisdreieck has long been used for various sports. There are regular training sessions of outdoor fitness groups like the Athletic Warriors. The only training equipment you can find at this spot are poles of different heights. As the highest pole is only about one meter eighty, they are rather less suitable for pull-up training. But if you prefer exercises like "Front Lever" - an exercise where the body is stretched, parallel to the ground, hanging horizontally - this is the place to go. All in all a good spot for freelatics and other body weight training.

The last spot we would like to introduce to you is the Turnbar Park in Volkspark Wilmersdorf. Here you will also find various equipment - pull-up bars, parallel bars, slope ladders, wall bars and push-up bars. As in the Monbijoupark, equipment from the company Turnbar was installed here, inspired by an initiative of the Adidas Runners in April 2017.

Besides these five well-known spots there are many other parks in Berlin where you can train Calisthenics exercises. The training there is completely free - no more excuses not to get in top shape this summer!