The Movement Athlete · Eric Baker’s story · 3 min read
Eric Baker had spent 11 years training in the gym. Strength and muscle still mattered to him. He also wanted to move better, become more flexible and gain more control over his body.
I am interested in calisthenics because I want to move better and be more flexible but also very strong and have much muscle control like only advanced calisthenics can offer.
Eric Baker, The Movement Athlete member
A plan for strength, flexibility and control
Take the free assessment. Find your current starting points and get a personalised training plan.
He wanted strength, flexibility and control in one programme
He looked for a programme that could develop with him, rather than another fixed routine to piece together. That is what drew him to The Movement Athlete.
Strength and muscle still had a place
Eric valued having skill and strength work built into the workout. He could follow one structured programme rather than put together separate routines himself.
You incorporate skill building and strength work into the workout itself so people can just do the workout.
Eric Baker, The Movement Athlete member
TMA’s workout framework is built from warmup and mobility, skill, strength, muscle, endurance, and cooldown and flexibility. It gives these qualities a place in the training system, rather than leaving you to put each part together yourself.
A training path starts with what you can do now
You can have years of lifting experience and still be new to balancing on your hands. Different movements need different starting points. A plan should reflect that.
1
Find your starting points
TMA starts from what you can do in each movement. You can begin at different stages in pushing, pulling or balance.
2
Follow small steps toward harder work
Progression paths connect easier variations to harder ones. You build the strength and control for the next step, with challenge increasing over time.
3
Train, give feedback, adjust
You report how hard the work felt. That feedback helps adjust the challenge as you continue to train.
Start with a plan built around you
Take the free assessment to find your current starting points and get a personalised training plan.
Let your current ability set the pace
Being humble and moving at the pace of my current fitness level.
Eric Baker, The Movement Athlete member
Eric’s advice is useful even if you have trained for years. A new movement can take patient practice. A clear progression gives that practice a direction.
Two practical questions before you start
Do I have to give up weights? You can explore calisthenics alongside lifting. TMA’s programme includes strength and muscle work as well as mobility and skills. If you combine them, allow for the total work you do across both.
Will I need equipment? Some pulling exercises need a suitable bar, rings or other support. Bodyweight training does not always mean training with no equipment.
Know what to work on next
You do not need to pick your first variation or build a routine yourself. Take the free assessment to find your current starting points and get a personalised training plan.
Eric’s experience is his own. Results vary.