The short answer is really they are very similar, with of course, varying degrees of difficulty.
Let’s look at the definitions of each of these and compare (Note:Source Wikipedia):
Calisthenics are a form of exercise consisting of a variety of exercises, often rhythmical movements, generally without using equipment or apparatus…, using only one’s body weight for resistance
Bodyweight exercises are strength training exercises that do not require free weights; the practitioner’s own weight provides the resistance for the movement.
Street workout is a physical activity performed mostly in outdoor parks or public facilities. It is the combination of athletics, calisthenics, and sports. Street Workout is a modern name for bodyweight workout in outdoor parks.
Six Ws
Often called the Six Ws questions, in fact its Five W’s (Who,What,Where, When, & Why) and One H (How), “are questions whose answers are the basics in information-gathering.”
If we apply each of these to the comparisons between:
- Bodyweight Exercises
- Calisthenics
- Street Workout
We get the following:
| Six W's | Bodyweight Exercises | Calisthenics | Street Workout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Does it? | Everyone, all ages, sexes, races, creeds, religions, socioeconomic classes. | Everyone, all ages, sexes, races, creeds, religions, socioeconomic classes. | Everyone, all ages, sexes, races, creeds, religions, socioeconomic classes. |
| What is it? | A form of exercise consisting of a variety of exercises, generally without using equipment or apparatus using one's own bodyweight. | A form of exercise consisting of a variety of exercises, generally without using equipment or apparatus using one's own bodyweight. | A form of exercise consisting of a variety of exercises, generally without using equipment or apparatus using one's own bodyweight. |
| When does it take place? | Whenever you want. During any time of the day, any day of the week. | Whenever you want. During any time of the day, any day of the week. | Whenever you want. During any time of the day, any day of the week. |
| Where does it take place? | Wherever you want. Any place. You can practice and do it anywhere. | Wherever you want. Any place. You can practice and do it anywhere. | Wherever you want. Any place. You can practice and do it anywhere. Typically done on a bar or at a park. |
| Why does it happen? | To promote a healthy living and socializing and a desirable physique. To establish a healthier state of mind.[3] As an inexpensive alternative to a regular gym. Used to improve the cardio vascular system. | To promote a healthy living and socializing and a desirable physique. To establish a healthier state of mind.[3] As an inexpensive alternative to a regular gym. Used to improve the cardio vascular system. | To promote a healthy living and socializing and a desirable physique. To establish a healthier state of mind.[3] As an inexpensive alternative to a regular gym. Used to improve the cardio vascular system. |
| How does it happen? | The practitioner's own weight provides the resistance for the movement. | The practitioner's own weight provides the resistance for the movement. | The practitioner's own weight provides the resistance for the movement. |
The above table is an oversimplification but I believe you get the general idea. If three (Bodyweight Exercises, Calisthenics, & Street Workout) were in the same family they’d be fraternal triplets.
With the exception of Street Workouts which are primarily done in outdoor parks and/or on a bar.
All three are the same, just different names, for pretty much the same thing.
Of course, those that are strict practitioners will argue against my logic and reasoning.
The purpose of this post is not to spark a debate. It’s too simply shed some light on the subject. We oftentimes make thing far more complicated.
In my humble opinion all three are varying degrees of the same thing:
A form of strength training, no gym required where the athlete uses his/her own bodyweight as resistance.
I think you will find that all three genres fall under the above definition.
In conclusion, aside from the difference in what each is actually called all three are actually quite similar. If you really wanted to get technical, you could say that each is a different style or type of using one’s own body-weight to strength train. Think of the three as variants on the same philosophy.
So there you have it folks, a rinsed down or watered down explanation regarding the differences or more so likenesses between bodyweight training, calisthenics. and street workout.
