Calisthenics Split · 4 Days/Week

THE CALISTHENICS SPLIT ROUTINE

No barbell required — build strength and control using nothing but your own bodyweight, progressing reps and leverage instead of plates.

Level
Beginner-Intermediate
Duration
45-55 min / session
Frequency
4x per week
Equipment
Pull-up bar, dip bar, floor space

Why this split

Bodyweight training builds real strength and control by manipulating leverage and range of motion instead of external load — this split follows the same push/pull/legs logic as a barbell program, with a dedicated day for core and skill work like the L-sit.

Weekly schedule

Push, pull, and legs each get a day, plus a dedicated core and skills day.

Mon
Push
Tue
Pull
Wed
Rest
Thu
Legs
Fri
Core+Skills
Sat
Rest
Sun
Rest

Push Day

Chest, shoulders, and triceps using push-up and dip variations.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Push-Up
4near failure60 sec
Dip
3near failure90 sec
Pike Push-Up
310-1260 sec
Diamond Push-Up
2near failure45 sec

Pull Day

Back and biceps using bar and ring work.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Pull-Up
4near failure90 sec
Chin-Up
3near failure90 sec
Inverted Row
312-1560 sec
Dead Hang
2max hold45 sec

Legs Day

Single-leg strength work to make up for no barbell squat.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Bulgarian Split Squat
410 / leg60 sec
Pistol Squat Progression
36-8 / leg90 sec
Walking Lunge
312 / leg60 sec
Calf Raise
415-2045 sec

Core + Skills Day

Core strength plus practice on advanced holds.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Hanging Leg Raise
310-1560 sec
Plank
345-60 sec45 sec
L-Sit Practice
410-20 sec hold60 sec
Ab Wheel Rollout
38-1060 sec

Coaching notes

Progression here comes from leverage and reps, not added plates — once push-ups stop being hard, move to a harder variation (like decline or archer push-ups) rather than just adding more reps forever.

Related splits
PUSH / PULL / LEGS 6 days/wk UPPER / LOWER 4 days/wk FULL BODY 3 days/wk