You're never too old to get stronger! Take your time working through the easier progressions and don't move on until you milk those earlier steps for all you can. If you are patient and diligent, in time you will get a pistol squat.
bro ben... i've started oct 12.. working thru progressions.. both hips replaced, two L-5 back surgeries.. turned 65 in jan this year.. like fine wine,,we get better w/age...!!! . i use yoga ropes for support/assist with various progessions.. the progressions are fine in themselves... perserverance furthers.. !!
Ben - Just turned 36 and with calisthenics, I've never felt better/stronger! Like Al said, you have to take it in steps, but with patience you can get there!
Love this. At the moment I feel like my ligaments will tear if I try and get up from a pistol. Did it ever feel like that for you? If I work though these progressions will things change? Or at 38 and after years of football are my knees just too old?
Fi I saw your Pistol vid. They are looking good. I have a copy of Convict Conditioning and the training log, need to put it to used. First goal of 2013 set. Thanks Fi
He's a beast, squats are my best and easiest move, but I have a really hard time balancing on the basketball (from Convict Conditioning), I might just try these steps instead. I really liked the side to side squats, I've never seen them before. I also liked the self assisted pistols and bench pistols, these moves look like they can make the jump to the deep pistol much more manageable.
Check out Convict Conditioning - it has some great progressions. I felt like I was stalling but went back-to-basics and have started going forwards again.
also note that its okay to bend your back when doing bodyweight squats, but if you ever carry weights on your shoulders you have to make sure you have good posture (not overbent spine)
Do you have a dvd on pistols and lower body calisthenics. I'm good at deadlifts, but suck at squats with weights. I always have some knee trouble (likely from basketball in my youth) and I try to do step ups, calf raises, and bodyweight squats or lightweight squats do to fear of injury. I can agree with Bro Ben as I am 37 and would love to nail the pistol squat one day.
Hey Al, love your video by the way but for the last progression (where you put your hands behind your back instead of in front) How does that make it harder? I know it does as I'm not capable of it but I can do a regular pistol so if you could explain how this works that would be greatly appreciated.
@pattimcb31 yes 2-3 times a week is great when you are learning them and acclimating yourself to the demands of the exercise. But after that there is no reason you can't do these daily as a strength conditioning exercise.
Hi Al, I need your HELP. I´m doing Convict Conditioning but I´m having trouble with squats. It says in the book that you must go all the way down until your harmstrings touch your calves WITHOUT raising your heels. The problem is that I can´t go all the way down without raising my heels, otherwise I´ll fall back. Any advice?
Hey hey hey AL! I have discovered your video and books not so long ago and they are great! Keep up the good work! I have a question regarding Full squat, whenever I do them, I can go very low but my upper body has to lean forward to get balance, I cannot be straight like you, unless I hold an object in my hands.. do you have any tips for me? Many Thanks
Impressively straight off-leg. I notice done two-legged feet point slightly outwards, one-legged not at all. Can you actually hear your knees gnashing?
i guess the smile helps with strength?
is this a lip workout? How long do you need to hold the smile position and how many reps? Thanx.
The song is one of my originals - it's on iTunes. Artist: Al Kavadlo Song: Progressive Calisthenics Theme
You're never too old to get stronger! Take your time working through the easier progressions and don't move on until you milk those earlier steps for all you can. If you are patient and diligent, in time you will get a pistol squat.
*When your **_squat_** keeps making jokes*
bro ben... i've started oct 12.. working thru progressions.. both hips replaced, two L-5 back surgeries.. turned 65 in jan this year.. like fine wine,,we get better w/age...!!! . i use yoga ropes for support/assist with various progessions.. the progressions are fine in themselves... perserverance furthers.. !!
So much control. You've inspired us to add more leg routines to our workouts this year....thanks Al - always love your videos!
Hi Al, I was just wondering how may reps you build up to with each exercise before moving on to the next?
@Al Kavadlo i really love that songs. gonna download that coz really helps in my workout
Thanks Al, gonna go back to the basics and work my way up. Brilliant video
Great demonstration of progressive work.
Ben - Just turned 36 and with calisthenics, I've never felt better/stronger! Like Al said, you have to take it in steps, but with patience you can get there!
Love this. At the moment I feel like my ligaments will tear if I try and get up from a pistol. Did it ever feel like that for you? If I work though these progressions will things change? Or at 38 and after years of football are my knees just too old?
Fi I saw your Pistol vid. They are looking good. I have a copy of Convict Conditioning and the training log, need to put it to used. First goal of 2013 set. Thanks Fi
Thanks for the recommendation Al.
I love how happy you look in all the clips in this video. It's goofy. And awesome.
He's a beast, squats are my best and easiest move, but I have a really hard time balancing on the basketball (from Convict Conditioning), I might just try these steps instead. I really liked the side to side squats, I've never seen them before. I also liked the self assisted pistols and bench pistols, these moves look like they can make the jump to the deep pistol much more manageable.
Check out Convict Conditioning - it has some great progressions. I felt like I was stalling but went back-to-basics and have started going forwards again.
Your control is also improved, if I may say so. I remember at former times, I thought you dropped quickly around parallel.
If I ever hit an advance pistol squat... I am going to let out the loudest roar ever.
Je pensais être incapable. J'ai enfin réussi. Superbe vidéo.
Harder for balance reasons. Some can even only do them with arms forward and weight in hands.
Al ,as usual, always good info. Thanks!
also note that its okay to bend your back when doing bodyweight squats, but if you ever carry weights on your shoulders you have to make sure you have good posture (not overbent spine)
as always! great video! simple and well done! thanks!
nice moves and music
Do you have a dvd on pistols and lower body calisthenics. I'm good at deadlifts, but suck at squats with weights. I always have some knee trouble (likely from basketball in my youth) and I try to do step ups, calf raises, and bodyweight squats or lightweight squats do to fear of injury. I can agree with Bro Ben as I am 37 and would love to nail the pistol squat one day.
Hey Al, love your video by the way but for the last progression (where you put your hands behind your back instead of in front) How does that make it harder? I know it does as I'm not capable of it but I can do a regular pistol so if you could explain how this works that would be greatly appreciated.
I saw that brick near you and was thinking "Oh shit what is he about to do now!?!" hahaha Good stuff as usual Al.
good stuff.
Great video Al..
squats help to do fireman"s carry ?
Thanks man!
loving the smile...thanks for the vid
Enjoyed this very much, legs should never be neglected
@pattimcb31 yes 2-3 times a week is great when you are learning them and acclimating yourself to the demands of the exercise. But after that there is no reason you can't do these daily as a strength conditioning exercise.
100 pushups, 100 crunches, 100 pistol squats, 10 km run
every. single. day.
Hi Al, I need your HELP.
I´m doing Convict Conditioning but I´m having trouble with squats. It says in the book that you must go all the way down until your harmstrings touch your calves WITHOUT raising your heels. The problem is that I can´t go all the way down without raising my heels, otherwise I´ll fall back. Any advice?
Would be extremely helpful if an ideal set/rep amount was suggested before each new stage
Hey hey hey AL!
I have discovered your video and books not so long ago and they are great! Keep up the good work!
I have a question regarding Full squat, whenever I do them, I can go very low but my upper body has to lean forward to get balance, I cannot be straight like you, unless I hold an object in my hands.. do you have any tips for me?
Many Thanks
You are always smiling :-). I'll be crying in pain . Time to practice more
nice tutorial! thx for the vid.
I love the smile. Some may say it's creepy, but I think it reflects a cheerful soul in the face of adversity :)
looking foreard to being thay strong (and light!)
awesome:) ima try all of those!
Nice video!
Al I know this is unrelated but can I practice the flag one day of the week only?
I love your smile 😁
La mejor progresión de sentadillas que he visto. Es perfecta :D
Happy suats :)
bro alkavaldo, may i know what is the soundtrack of this video? Thanks.
God Bless!
How often can I work on these, 2-3 times a week?
hands behind back pistols are flippin impossible! hands at the sides seems to be the last step for me.
I can finnaly perform everything in this video. I started out with split squats.
how can this guy ALWAYS smile?! :D
respect bro
Smilin'the whole time haha. Awesome!
The smile is very inviting xD
Impressively straight off-leg.
I notice done two-legged feet point slightly outwards, one-legged not at all.
Can you actually hear your knees gnashing?
Shit... that advanced pistol squat was sick!
hey what part of NYC is this video in?
Tompkins Square Park, Al's sanctuary of sorts
That question was for the pistol squats
You forget deck pistols! I believe those help :)
with thise smile haha GREAT VIDEO TUTO :) THANKS
Never stops smiling lol
Smiling more -> less cortisol -> more gains. Haters will never make it.
That smile...
Yea,I didn't know if he was serious or if this was a parody ,due to that shit eatin grin lmao
By eating more.
lol why was he smiling the whole video
lol you aint the only one :p
lol
Wise people grin stupidly allot.
This guys smile is creepy
Exactly what I was gonna write!
Muddy A He reminds me of Squidward
U can`t have great body without great legs.
I skipped too many leg days. xD
Why is he always smiling ? Kinda creepy
why not?
You guys think he's smiling so much cuz he loves squats, or cuz there's a class of first graders in front of him?
Hahahahahahaha learn how to smile with calisthenics 😂😂😂😂✌️
Strong like/dislike ratio
That was the lamest music I have ever heard in my life.
He made the music
Bam Howard You are gay.
I feel slightly violated?...
Would be extremely helpful if an ideal set/rep amount was suggested before each new stage
That was the lamest music I have ever heard in my life.