The Ultimate Home Calisthenics Setup (Under €150)
No gym? No problem. Build a complete training station in your apartment or garden with these essential, space-efficient equipment picks.
The Essential Trio (€70-90 Total)
1. Doorframe Pull-Up Bar (€25-35): The foundation of any home setup. Look for lever-style bars that hook over the frame—they're safer than telescoping bars.
2. Gymnastic Rings (€25-35): Hang them from the pull-up bar for dips, rows, and skill work. Wood rings with numbered straps are the best value.
3. Parallettes (€20-30): Low parallel bars for L-sits, handstand training, and push-up variations. DIY options using PVC pipe work great too.
With just these three items, you can train 90% of calisthenics movements effectively.
Level Up: Additional Recommendations
Resistance Bands (€15-25 for a set): Assist with pull-ups and dips while building strength. Also great for mobility work and warm-ups.
Ab Wheel (€10-15): Brutally effective core training. Builds the anterior chain strength needed for levers and L-sits.
Yoga Mat (€15-20): Cushioning for floor work, stretching, and handstand practice. Non-negotiable for hard floors.
- 3–5 high-quality reps per set
- Full control in the transition
- Stable dip at the top
Space-Saving Solutions
Rings fold up and fit in a drawer. Parallettes store under a bed. The pull-up bar stays in the doorframe—it's actually a reminder to do a few reps every time you walk past.
Total floor space required: Less than 2 square meters when training, zero when stored.
For outdoor-capable setups, bring rings to any park with a sturdy branch or bar. Your 'gym' becomes portable.
What You Don't Need
Skip: Weight vests (for beginners), fancy suspension trainers, expensive 'calisthenics stations,' and any gadget promising shortcuts.
The basics work. Master them before adding complexity. Many elite athletes train with nothing more than bars and rings.
FAQ
You'll be limited in pulling movements. Resistance band door anchors can simulate rows, but nothing truly replaces vertical pulling. The pull-up bar is the first priority.
Most doorframe bars aren't designed for dynamic movements like muscle-ups. The force multiplied during the explosive pull can exceed their rating. Use them for pull-ups and static work only.
DIY PVC parallettes cost €5-10 in materials and take 30 minutes to build. They work just as well as purchased options. However, wooden parallettes feel better and last longer if budget allows.
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