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Progressive Calisthenics - The Official Blog for the PCC Community

Al Kavadlo

My Calisthenics Journey to the PCC

September 4, 2021 By Al Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Al Kavadlo demonstrates an Aussie Pullup at a PCC Workshop

Hey hey hey! I’m Al Kavadlo. I’ve been doing calisthenics and nothing else for twelve years.

I remember in 2009 – a little before my 30th birthday – I decided I wanted to learn the handstand. The early days involved a lot of falling, but after a while I was able to catch myself and little by little those holds became longer and more consistent.

I’d been working out for over 15 years by that point and I was already a successful personal trainer–yet I was just starting to realize there was more to fitness than simply being able to lift something heavy. Something about the synergy of calisthenics was irresistible to me: the raw minimalism, the self-empowerment, the creative element… or maybe just that the moves looked so bad-ass!

PCC Participant performs a Human Flag at the PCC Workshop in China

Handstand push-ups replaced military presses. Pistol squats replaced leg machines and alternative push-up variations replaced traditional chest and arm exercises. Front levers, one arm chin-ups and other esoteric bodyweight exercises gradually became more interesting to me than conventional gym workouts.

I didn’t plan for it to happen, It’s not like I suddenly woke up one day and decided to be a bodyweight guy, but by the time I turned 30 my training was pretty much 100% calisthenics.

Back then there was hardly any information available about this type of training, so most of my learning came from my own trial and error. Fortunately I’d been lifting weights and doing pull-ups for a long time already, so I was able to progress fairly quickly. These days, my years of trial and error can work to your advantage!

Two participants perform partner pistol squats at the PCC while Al Kavaldo coaches them

Social media was still pretty new at the time but at a friend’s suggestion I started posting videos on YouTube and blogging about my training. I got my brother Danny involved and he and I kept challenging each other to improve and grow.

I started to gain a following online and I connected with others in the local calisthenics community. Eventually, Danny and I appeared in the Convict Conditioning series and I even landed my own book deal with Dragon Door Publications. I published Raising The Bar in 2012, which became a cult phenomenon. The book was ahead of its time, and was the first to deeply explore the possibility of training with nothing but a pull-up bar and a pair of parallel bars.

I continued publishing more books about calisthenics and in 2013, Danny and I started teaching the world’s first ever calisthenics based fitness certification, the now legendary Progressive Calisthenics Certification. It was dream come true!

Large group photo from the PCC in Sweden

The PCC has been often imitated but never duplicated. Over the years we taught and certified hundreds of trainers in over a dozen countries and scores of cities. We’ve connected with like-minded calisthenics enthusiasts all around the world. You cannot beat the energy, passion and attitude at PCC. It has to be experienced!

I kept refining my skills over the years – and through teaching them to others I further enhanced my own understanding of them. I’m 42 years old now and I’m in better shape than I was in my 20s.

I’m still teaching, still training, and still having fun. In fact, October 9-10, 2021, the Progressive Calisthenics Certification makes its return to my hometown New York City, the place where the bodyweight revolution got started all those years ago!

A large group photo at an NYC PCC Workshop

If you’ve ever wanted to train with Danny and me in person, then now is the time! If you’ve ever wanted to share in the excitement that is PCC, then your day has come! If you’ve already taken the PCC and are hungry for more, then this is your chance to re-certify. Come have a new life experience you’ll never forget. The PCC has grown and changed over the years, just as I have. Just as you have.

Check out this video and learn more about my journey:

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed my story – if you did, then I hope to see YOU at PCC this October.

Til next time, I’m Al Kavadlo…

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, calisthenics, calisthenics certification, PCC, PCC Backstory, progressive calisthenics, Progressive Calisthenics Certification

The Get Strong App is Here!

October 19, 2020 By Al Kavadlo and Danny Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Kavadlo Brothers Get Strong Workout TriadXP app

Since the release of our bestselling Dragon Door title Get Strong, we have received countless messages from fans relaying their success with the program. We love to hear from you!

Sometimes these messages also have questions. Other times they have requests.

The most common request has been for a smartphone app specifically designed to help track your progress on the Get Strong program

We’re excited to tell you the Get Strong app is finally here!

The new Get Strong app is part of Triad XP, an easy-to-use mobile tracking system that Dragon Door has partnered with.

The app will help you stay motivated and provide additional accountability to complete the program.

Plus the convenience of it all being on your mobile device for review rather than a paper log book will make it easier than ever to monitor your progress.

If you’ve been doing Get Strong and need some extra accountability, this is perfect for you. It’s also a great time to start the program if you’ve never tried it before.

You can use the app in conjunction with the book or on its own, so whether you have the book already or not, make sure you check out the new Get Strong app!

Filed Under: Announcement, Motivation and Goals Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, Danny Kavadlo, Get Strong, Get Strong App, Get Strong Program, Get Strong Workouts App, TriadXP, TriadXP Workout App, Workouts App

Next Level Strength is Here!

June 11, 2019 By Al Kavadlo and Danny Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Next Level Strength Book Announcement Al Kavaldo and Danny Kavadlo

When we got started in fitness, we didn’t have many options. We were just two broke kids from Brooklyn, so we began with what was available to us: push-ups and pull-ups. This was not because we were necessarily “calisthenics guys” but simply because we didn’t have access to any equipment other than a basic doorway pull-up bar and the ground beneath our feet.

During the course of our journey, we would explore other methods of training. Once we were old enough to join a gym, free weights began to dominate our workouts. Though we never stopped doing push-ups and pull-ups, weight training had become the focus. We also experimented with machines, sandbags, medicine balls and everything else we could think of to maximize our strength gains. Additionally, as personal trainers in New York City, we wanted to familiarize ourselves with as many disciplines as possible so that we could provide the best service to all individuals.

Each of these modalities offers its own unique challenges and benefits. However, after years of experience with these different options, we eventually came full circle and returned to training with only our own bodyweight.

Pistol squats replaced barbell squats, L-sits replaced ab machines, handstand push-ups replaced military presses. The transition was so gradual that we hardly saw it coming. Little by little, we were slowly swapping out our favorite weight training exercises for their calisthenics counterparts. It is hard to say whether calisthenics chose us or we chose calisthenics.

Over the years, we have cultivated a following around the world for our unique style of bodyweight training, and we’ve been heralded for our ability to help our clients make maximal gains with minimal equipment.

We’ve written books about training with just a pull-up bar or no equipment at all. In Street Workout we even showed you how to make the world your gym.

In our previous release, Get Strong, we gave you our most stripped-down calisthenics program for building muscle and strength.

Although we have written extensively about bodyweight training, we still haven’t covered it all. Not by a long shot. In fact, within the bodyweight kingdom there are two important pieces of apparatus which we’ve never addressed until now: rings and parallettes. We’re still just getting started!

Next Level Strength Danny Kavaldo Abs

Why Rings?

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the pull-up bar. You can do a lot more with a simple straight bar than many people realize. And while many of the exercises in our new book, Next Level Strength, can also be done on a pull-up bar, there are numerous subtleties rendering them quite different on rings:

-Rings require extra core recruitment. Unlike a fixed pull-up bar, rings are free-floating and unstable. They can swing back and forth, rock side to side and even rotate. This forces your body to stabilize itself to a greater degree. As there is always a risk of injury when working with an unstable apparatus, be cautious and take your time.

-Because they are not connected to one another, rings allow you to pass in between them on moves like the skin-the-cat and muscle-up. Whereas you must maneuver around a pull-up bar, rings will not get in your way.

-Training with rings can potentially be more forgiving on your joints, particularly those of the wrists, shoulders and elbows. By allowing your hands to rotate, your joints may move in a more personalized range of motion.

-Though some exercises are more challenging when performed on rings, others are more accessible. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. Regardless, if you are used to training exclusively with a bar, those first few weeks of ring training may surprise you.

Next Level Strength Al Kavadlo Parallettes Pushup

Why Parallettes?

Parallel bars that are low to the ground are known as parallettes. Though they might not appear to offer anything special at first glance, these little, low bars are an amazing tool. Here’s why:

-Wrist pain is one of the most common issues associated with floor exercises like planks, L-sits and handstands. Since parallettes allow your wrists to maintain a neutral position during these and other exercises, they offer a great way to work around (and possibly help eradicate) any issues that may plague your wrists.

-Squeezing parallettes while practicing these exercises creates more tension in your upper-body, which can facilitate a greater mind-muscle connection. This will help incur greater strength gains, especially with regard to your grip, core and shoulders.

-Elevating your hands with parallettes makes many exercises more accessible than when they’re performed on the ground. Oftentimes, beginners lack flexibility and/or core strength. Having extra clearance beneath your body can make just enough of a difference to help you nail your first L-sit or tuck planche.

-You can adjust the width of your parallettes to suit your individual proportions, which you cannot do with affixed bars.

The Next Level Strength Program

The Next Level Strength program offers something for everyone. The workouts in our new book build strength, flexibility, control and body awareness. There is also a unique skill element to many of these exercises. To be clear, however, Next Level Strength is not gymnastics. Though some of the exercises may look like gymnastics movements, we are not competing with anyone but ourselves.

Are you ready to take your strength to the Next Level?

Get our new book Next Level Strength today and get started on building the body you deserve!

Next Level Strength Book Banner

Filed Under: Announcement, Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, bodyweight exercise, Danny Kavadlo, gym rings, gymnastics rings, Next Level Strength, parallettes, ring training

Trans-Atlantic Antics: Behind the Scenes At PCC 2018

December 11, 2018 By Al Kavadlo and Danny Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Those of you who have been following this blog for the last six years know how serious we are about calisthenics. If you’ve spent any length of time at all on these hallowed pages, then you’ve heard about the amazing purity of owning a body that is truly “self-made.” We speak of minimalism in equipment, clarity of mind, strength in simplicity. And ripped abs.

You’ve also read the incredible stories that surround every single Progressive Calisthenics Certification: the friendships formed, the fantastic networking opportunities, and the timeless bonds created between calisthenics freaks and geeks from all over the world. At PCC, we encourage an experiential learning environment, where everyone is involved in every step of the process—you can almost feel yourself getting stronger!

Here on this blog, we’ve waxed philosophical about the numerous PR’s, feats of strength and profound life experiences shared PCC weekend, but what we rarely talk about is this: the wacky antics that ensue!

Rock n roll dreams come true at this post-PCC tattoo convention!

That’s right. When the Century Test is over and the Certifications have been handed out, after the love, the hugs and the high fives, we all like to have a little fun. Perhaps, punch-drunk on adrenaline, we stick around to hang out with everyone who wants to spend time with us on that final day of PCC.

And believe it or not, there are always some folks who want to get back on the bar for a few last reps. Sometimes it’s a free-style pull-up jam!

womens pullups London PCC 2018
Representing the strong women of PCC!

If you’ve ever wanted to dragon flag off Danny, stand on Al’s bridge, try a crazy move or take a crazy photo, then now you know: it all happens after hours at PCC!

As 2018 winds down to a close and we reflect back at the places we went and the people we met, we can’t help but to feel like the luckiest guys in the world. It’s a privilege that we get to spread the word of progressive calisthenics. It’s an honor to train with each of you. The PCC community includes us all.

This past year was host to Progressive Calisthenics Certifications in Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York City, Amsterdam and Austin. Each one was unforgettable.

And 2019 is looking just as bright! With PCCs already scheduled stateside in Colorado and Georgia, and overseas in Vienna, England, and Taiwan, next year promises to be even more over-the-top than ever!

In the PCC Universe, we are all more than simply calisthenics instructors and practitioners: we are family. If you’ve ever considered attending a PCC, this is the time. We wanna see your pull-ups! Hey hey hey! Keep the dream alive!

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: 2018 Year in Review, Al Kavadlo, China, Danny Kavadlo, London, PCC, progressive calisthenics, Progressive Calisthenics Certification Workshop, Trans-atlantic

How to Stop Sucking at Pull-Ups

October 16, 2018 By Al Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Al Kavadlo Pull-ups

I used to suck at pull-ups. It’s true.

When I first got into calisthenics as a teenager, I was able to manage a couple underhand chin-ups, but I could not do a single overhand pull-up with a full range of motion.

So what did I do?

Well, I started by doing what I could, which meant lots of chin-ups. Even though I could only do a few at a time, I would just do as many as I could, then rest and repeat. I did this every other day for months. Then one day I tried an overhand pull-up again and I could do it!

Soon after this, I encountered a pair of wide grip pull-up handles at a local gym and I was back to not being able to do a single rep. So I kept doing them on my doorway pull-up bar with the narrower grip.

Again, I just did as many as I could, then I’d rest and repeat the process several times. Since I was a teenager, I had a lot of testosterone and was able to recover pretty quickly. I did this every other day for a while and eventually I was able to do 10 in a row. Then I went back to that wide grip set-up and was suddenly able to do a few reps!

Over the course of the next several years, I continued to discover challenging new pull-up variations: Commando pull-ups, L-sit pull-ups, archer pull-ups and of course, the muscle-up. They all gave me a major humbling when I first encountered them, yet they were all ultimately achievable with consistent effort.

I’m far from being a teenager these days, and I don’t recover quite as quickly as I used to, but I still apply the same principles to all of my workouts.

The key to conquering any physical goal, whether it’s to do 10 wide-grip pull-ups, perform a human flag, or run a marathon, is the same regardless of the task. All you have to do is find a regressed version of your goal (a less difficult progression, fewer reps, shorter distance, etc.) and practice that consistently for several weeks or months. Once it gets easier, you slowly start inching your way toward the goal.

So, what if you can’t even do a chin-up yet? Then start by just hanging from the bar!

Al Kavadlo Bar Hangs Dead Hang

From there, you can eventually build toward flexed arm hangs and negative chin-ups. (A flexed arm hang is when you hold the top position of the chin-up; a negative chin-up involves slowly lowering yourself down from that position.) If you’re patient, consistent and dedicated, the results will come. Guaranteed.

I did not get good at pull-ups overnight. It took many years and countless reps, and I experienced numerous setbacks along the way.

There wasn’t any magic pill or secret formula, so I just focused on my training and did the work. I still do.

There will never be any other way.

***

Al Kavadlo is the Lead Instructor for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification and the author of several best-selling books, including Get Strong, Street Workout and Pushing The Limits! Al has been featured in The New York Times, Men’s Health, Bodybuilding.com, T-Nation, TRAIN magazine and many other publications around the world. To find out more, visit www.AlKavadlo.com.

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Tutorial Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, how to improve pull-ups, progressive calisthenics, pull-up progressions, pull-up regressions, pull-ups, tutorial

PCC London: Rise Of The Underground

May 15, 2018 By Al Kavadlo and Danny Kavadlo Leave a Comment

Al and Danny Kavadlo at the London PCC 2018

This was one for the record books.

For our fourth foray into the UK, we revisited The Commando Temple in the Deptford section of Southeast London. In many ways, Deptford reminds us of our hometown Brooklyn, New York.

You see, like people, landscapes and neighborhoods change. The first time we visited Deptford, it was rough and sketchy, with only a few businesses and seemingly endless dirty streets. But that was a few years ago.

Now, in 2018, once-abandoned buildings have given way to specialty shops selling artisanal cheeses, craft beer or pricey handmade trinkets. People who used to be scared to visit Deptford (and Brooklyn, for that matter) now flock downtown for street fairs, festivals and fancy espressos. Things change.

That said, there is one venue in this “up-and-coming” neighborhood that kept its underground roots, remaining brutally intense and completely hardcore: The Commando Temple.

“The Temple,” as its members call it, is a sanctuary of positive energy and fearless training. It’s also the perfect home for the Progressive Calisthenics Certification!

Al Danny Teaching London PCC 2018

Yet as amazing as “The Temple” is, the group of calisthenics freaks in attendance was even more impressive! Bodyweight warriors, yoga practitioners, fitness professionals and street workout enthusiasts from a total of seven countries—even as far as India—showed up to share in the experience, train their hearts out, and learn a thing or two along the way.

Dragon Flag London PCC 2018

It is always a mind-blowing affair to behold, as we explored bodyweight progressions encompassing the most fundamentally basic, to the most extremely advanced. Human flags flew, muscle-ups soared and pistols prevailed as we all drew in from this epic training session.

It should come as no surprise that the Progressive Calisthenics Certification always attracts a group of particularly strong females. This time was no exception!

Whoever said women can’t do pull-ups has never met these ladies!

The strong ladies of PCC.
The strong ladies of PCC.

At the end of each PCC, when the Century testing is finished and the certificates have been handed out, we like to give everyone one more chance to jump on the pull-up bar if there is something they’ve been wanting to give another shot. Inevitably, someone hits a move for the first time that eluded them all weekend. Once again, the PRs continued late into the final day.

Back Lever London PCC 2018

Neighborhoods change, things come and go, but experiences like this make people stronger and provide lasting inspiration.

Speaking of changes, this was our final three-day event. The PCC will be switching to a two-day format beginning with our next workshop in Beijing this summer. Two-day events in Austin, NYC and Holland are all on the books as well in the months ahead.

We hope to see you there!

PCC London May 2018

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Workshop Experiences Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, calisthenics, Danny Kavadlo, Deptford, England, London, London PCC, PCC Workshop, The Commando Temple, UK, workshop experience

Bodyweight Badassery Meets the Sideshow at the Seashore

September 19, 2017 By Danny Kavadlo 8 Comments

Al Danny Kavadlo Coney Island

A few nights ago, as summer was coming to a close, my son and I went to the beach one last time this season. We sat on the sand and looked into the sky. Slowly, I closed my eyes and reflected on the rapidly dwindling summer days of 2017. Times come and times go. All we are left with is our memories. And there is one summer memory stands above all as the freakiest!

This past Labor Day weekend, my brother Al Kavadlo and I had the tremendous honor of serving on a panel of judges at the 10th Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Contest. It was our job to see which whiskers reign supreme in New York City and beyond. But there’s more: We were enlisted not only as judges… but also as performers!

The contest took place at the Coney Island Sideshow, home to circus showmen and human oddities throughout history. Hosted by performing strongman Adam Realman and “Handsome” Dick Manitoba (from legendary punk band The Dictators), the night was a celebration of classic New York, wacky and wild, in all its glory. The energy was infectious.

Adam Realman and Dick Manitoba

About halfway through the show, we had already viewed the hirsute contestants of several categories, including “Man or Beast” (best natural beard) and “Coney Island Curl” (best styled moustache). Now it was time for our act.

I can’t express what a remarkable experience it was to perform our bodyweight strongman act on this legendary stage. It warmed our hearts to be part of such a special history. From the sideshow performers of yesteryear, to modern day bodybuilders, to the pro-wrestlers we all admired as kids, there’s nothing like a strongman show!

In fact, as a kid growing up in South Brooklyn, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to one day take the stage at the hallowed freakshow. Now I had my chance!

Al and Danny Kavadlo Partner Front Lever

We really wanted to do something special for the show, so we made it a point to feature only partner calisthenics in our act. Al and I demonstrated our signature partner front lever from the cover of Street Workout and the two-man human flag from Convict Conditioning 2. I even stood upon his back bridge as seen in Pushing The Limits. Most of the exercises we performed are detailed in our book Get Strong.

It was also a great thrill to serve as an ambassador of sorts, introducing the word of progressive calisthenics to a whole, new audience. The posse’s getting bigger!

Like the summer itself, our set seemed to fly by. Back to the facial hair! Soon, we were onto judge the “Dog and Pony” (best partial beard/chops) and “Carny Trash” (worst in show) awards. Bring it on!

Of course, the night ended with the coveted Brass Ring (best in show) and several other fantastic performances. Congratulations to all the winners and competitors of this amazing competition! The facial hair game is STRONG in Brooklyn!

Coney Island Beard and Moustache group photo

But for me, even more than the facial hair, keeping the strongman dream alive—bodyweight style—in Coney Island, Brooklyn is what made this night magic. Truly, this is one summer memory I want to hold onto. Fugeddaboutit!

Photos: Eliza Rinn and Norman Blake

****

Danny Kavadlo is one of the world’s leading authorities on calisthenics, nutrition and personal training. He is the author of several best-selling Dragon Door titles including GET STRONG and STRENGTH RULES. Danny has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Fitness, and the Huffington Post. He is a regular contributor to Bodybuilding .com and TRAIN magazine. When not working one-on-one with clients in his native New York City, Danny travels the world as a Master Instructor in Dragon Door’s internationally acclaimed Progressive Calisthenics Certification. Find out more about Danny at www.DannyTheTrainer.com

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, bodyweight exercise, bodyweight strongman, Coney Island, Danny Kavadlo, Freak Show, partner calisthenics

Ask Al: GET STRONG Edition

July 11, 2017 By Al Kavadlo 18 Comments

Ask Al Get Strong Edition

Since the release of our latest book, GET STRONG, my brother Danny and I have gotten a lot of feedback on our new program. It seems that you guys are loving the book!

Even though the program takes 16 weeks to complete – and it’s barely been two months since the release – many of you are writing to tell us that you’re already experiencing gains in muscle and strength. Awesome!

We’ve also been getting a lot questions about the GET STRONG program. Though we did our best to explain everything as clearly as possible in the book, there are a few concerns that have been raised more than once.

That’s why I’ve created this special “Ask Al” video.

In it I address:

–What to do if you’re having trouble kicking into a handstand

–How to alter the hanging leg raise if you’re too tall to fully extend your legs

–The correct way to sequence your exercises

–How to incorporate Aussie pull-ups into the program

Let us know if you have additional questions or feedback about the program in the comments below.

Let’s GET STRONG!

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics, Tutorial Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, Ask Al, Ask Al video, Danny Kavadlo, Get Strong, Get Strong Transformation Challenge, Q&A, questions and answers, video

Kavadlo Brothers’ Calisthenics Arms Workout

April 11, 2017 By Al Kavadlo and Danny Kavadlo 20 Comments

Al and Danny Kavadlo Calisthenics Arms Workout
Fans of progressive calisthenics know that you don’t need weights to pump up your arms. With nothing more than your own bodyweight and a few bars, you can blast your guns without any external resistance.

Though you won’t find any dumbbell curls or triceps push-downs in this workout, the following exercises will blow up your biceps and triceps, and help you carve out cannonball delts. In addition to your arms, this simple sequence will actually hit your entire upper body – even your abs. When you perform exercises that employ compound movements, it’s easy to target multiple muscle groups at once.

If you are unable to complete this workout as written, you may add additional sets in order to complete the same total number of reps. For example, when the workout calls for 3 sets of 10 reps, you can modify it by doing 6 sets of 5 reps (or 10 sets of 3 reps) in order to make the workout more manageable. You may also substitute a different variation of an exercise if you need to, such as pike push-ups instead of handstand push-ups.

Aim to perform the exercises in sequence with approximately 60-90 seconds of rest in between each set, though you may also try performing this workout as a circuit, if you are looking to enhance its cardiovascular benefits.

Close Push-up
Start in a push-up position, only with your hands closer together. Bend your arms and lower your chest toward the floor, keeping your elbows fairly close to your sides. Pause briefly with your chest approximately one inch from the ground, then press yourself back to the top. The close position of the hands places additional emphasis on the triceps.

3 x 20 reps

Chin-up
Hang from a bar with an underhand grip, then pull yourself up until your chin clears the bar. Avoid shrugging your shoulders, bending your knees, or using any momentum. Lower yourself back to the bottom position with control as well. This exercise works the entire upper body, while the underhand grip places additional emphasis on the biceps.

3 x 10 reps

Handstand Push-up
Kick up into a handstand against a wall. Look in between your hands, bend your arms and lower your head toward the ground. Pause briefly when your nose touches the floor, then press yourself back to the top. The handstand push-up is the ultimate calisthenics exercise for the shoulders.

3 x 10 reps

Aussie Pull-up
Get down under a bar that’s about waist height with your legs extended in front of you to form a straight line from the back of your head to your heels, then pull your chest toward the bar. Pause briefly at the top, with your chest approximately 1-2 inches from the bar, then lower yourself back to the bottom with control. Aussie pull-ups work the entire upper-body with emphasis on the biceps and mid-back.

3 x 10 reps

Parallel Bar Dip
Position yourself upright between two parallel bars with your feet off the floor. Bend from your shoulders and elbows, lowering yourself until your elbows are bent to at least 90 degrees. Pause briefly at the bottom, then press yourself back to the top. Parallel bar dips will finish off whatever is left of your triceps, shoulders and chest.

3 x 20 reps

Watch the video below for more:

***

Al and Danny Kavadlo are Master Instructors for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification. The Kavadlo Brothers have authored several internationally-acclaimed, bestselling books, including their latest, Street Workout, and have been translated into over a dozen languages. They have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times and Men’s Health, and are both regular contributors to Bodybuilding.com.

Filed Under: Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: Al Kavadlo, arms workout, Danny Kavadlo, Kavadlo brothers, PCC, progressive calisthenics, upper body, upper body workout, workout, workout video

The Top Ten PCC Blog Posts of 2016

December 27, 2016 By Al Kavadlo 9 Comments

PCC Collage 2016

With 2016 coming to an end, it’s been almost 4 years since the inception of the Progressive Calisthenics Certification, and it continues to be an amazing ride. This year the PCC visited China, Australia, Germany, Holland, and The UK, in addition to traveling across the United States. We certified hundreds of new PCC instructors and reached so many more people through this blog. As we head into 2017, the world’s #1 bodyweight strength training certification is still going strong!

As lead instructor for the PCC, I personally select and edit every post that we run here on the PCC blog, so I am intimately familiar with all of the content we’ve shared since the beginning.

Here are my top ten PCC blog posts from 2016, in no particular order:

– The O.G. of PCC himself, “Coach” Paul Wade, analyzed bodybuilders’ muscular development over several decades in an attempt to determine how much muscle mass you can really gain without steroids.

– My PCC co-lead instructor Danny Kavadlo shared this humorous and introspective post about questioning one’s own body of knowledge.

– PCC Instructor Robby Taylor’s article on calisthenics neck training helped me take my calisthenics training to the “necks” level.

– PCC Team Leader Matt Schifferle’s “Centerline Principle” is a great piece of exercise theory that you can apply to your workouts right away.

– Senior PCC Adrienne Harvey shared this helpful article on improving your hand and grip strength with calisthenics.

– PCC Instructor Brad Sadler’s Workout Tips For Busy Professionals are perfect for anyone who has a hard time fitting their workouts in around a hectic schedule.

– PCC Team Leader Matt Beecroft’s tips for learning the freestanding handstand are sure to help you progress with your hand-balancing practice.

– PCC Instructor Benji Williford shared three of his most inspiring clients’ motivational stories about how calisthenics played a role in overcoming breast cancer.

– PCC Team Leader Grace Kavadlo broke down the PCC approach to the bodyweight row, aka the Australian pull-up.

– I wrote several articles for the blog myself this year, but my ten minute bodyweight squat challenge got more likes and comments than any of the others that I wrote, so it must be my best.

Thanks to all of you who read this blog and support the PCC movement. I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for the PCC and the entire bodyweight strength training community. Let me know what your favorite posts were from this year in the comments below.

I hope to see you at the PCC in 2017!

We’re Working Out!

Al

 

****

Al Kavadlo is the lead instructor for Dragon Door’s Progressive Calisthenics Certification and the author of several best-selling books, including Street Workout and Pushing The Limits. For more information visit www.AlKavadlo.com.

 

Filed Under: Motivation and Goals, Progressive Calisthenics Tagged With: 2016, Al Kavadlo, PCC Blog, progressive calisthenics, top ten, top ten blog posts, year in review

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