Knowledge Base
In-depth breakdowns for every skill in the BodyTree progression system — progressions, cues, sets/reps, and programming from trusted calisthenics methodology.

The bent-knee plank is the easiest way to start core training from zero. Learn the setup, the 20-second goal, the cues that protect your back, and what comes next.

Learn the side-to-side (Cossack) squat from zero — the beginner-friendly single-leg bridge that builds the strength, depth, and balance for your first pistol squat.

Learn skin the cat from zero — the beginner-friendly rings rotation that builds shoulder mobility and connective-tissue strength, with cues, prehab, and what comes next.

The One-Leg-Bent L-Sit is the beginner-friendly bridge between the tuck L-sit and the full L-sit. Here is how to learn it from zero, train it, and progress.
A beginner-friendly, band-assisted German hang to open tight shoulders and build the extension range every back lever starts from. No gym needed.

Learn the ring support hold from zero: the beginner-friendly straight-arm hold that builds the shoulder and elbow strength every rings skill is built on.

Ring rows are the friendliest way to build real pulling strength from zero. Learn the setup, easiest regression, sets and reps, and what comes next.

Learn diamond pushups from zero: the close-hand regression, how to build up from standard pushups, sets and reps, elbow cues, and the triceps-safe road forward.

Never done a dip? PB jumping dips let your legs help you learn the pressing pattern from day one. Here is how to start, train, and progress from zero.

Learn the deep bodyweight squat from zero: how to sit to full depth with heels down, fix ankle and hip mobility, train 3x15, and progress toward the pistol.

The prone scapular squeeze is the true day-one move for pulling. Learn how to do it on the floor, with no bar, and build toward your first row.

Learn the parallel squat from zero: no gym, no weights, no experience needed. Depth, cues, sets and reps, common mistakes, and the road to the pistol squat.

Learn the frog stand from zero — the beginner's first real balance skill and the gateway to the planche. Setup, wrist prep, hold protocol, and what comes next.

Incline rows are the most beginner-friendly back exercise in calisthenics. Learn the setup, the reps that build your first pull, and what comes next.

The sit-to-stand is the easiest way to start building lower-body strength from zero — no gym, no squat rack, just a chair. Here is how to learn it and progress.

The tuck L-sit is the true starting point for L-sit training — a beginner-friendly support hold you can learn on the floor. Cues, sets, prehab, and what comes next.

Your first strict pull-up, from zero. The road from a dead hang through jumping pull-ups and negatives, plus cues, sets and reps, and what to train next.

Wall pushups feel easy but full pushups feel impossible? Kneeling pushups are the honest middle step that builds real pressing strength from zero.

Can't do a pull-up yet? Pull-up negatives are the beginner-friendly bridge that builds the strength to get there, one slow lower at a time.

Learn parallel bar dips from zero with Overcoming Gravity programming — jumping and negative regressions, honest depth, sets and reps, and what comes next.

Jumping pull-ups are the beginner's honest first step toward a real pull-up. Learn the setup, scapular mechanics, sets and reps, and how to progress from zero.

The plank is where calisthenics core work begins. Learn how to hold it from your knees, build to a full 60 seconds, and what it prepares you for.

Learn the bodyweight squat from zero: the easiest regression, how deep to go, sets and reps, coaching cues, and the road from sit-to-stand to the pistol.

Learn the standard pushup from zero — easy regressions, scapular mechanics, elbow position, sets and reps, and the common mistakes that stall your first clean rep.

Learn the inverted row from zero — the most beginner-friendly horizontal pull. Body angle regressions, scapular cues, sets and reps, and where it leads.

Never done a pushup? Start here. Wall pushups are the gentlest way to build real pressing strength at home, no gym or experience needed, with a clear path to the full pushup.

Train the wall headstand pushup with Overcoming Gravity mechanics — scapular rhythm, elbow tracking, why arching stalls you, and how to build toward the wall handstand pushup.

Learn the wall headstand pushup eccentric with Overcoming Gravity programming: the 5 to 10 second lowering protocol, elbow tracking, wall setup, and how it bridges box pushups to the full wall HSPU.

Learn the box headstand pushup, the level-2 bridge in the Handstand Pushups branch that raises your hips and biases weight onto your shoulders, per Overcoming Gravity.

Learn the pike headstand pushup, the level-1 entry point to overhead pressing strength in the Handstand Pushups branch, with cues from Overcoming Gravity.

Learn the freestanding rings handstand — turning the rings out, pressing past the strap, and locking a straight body over an unstable base, per Overcoming Gravity.

Learn the rings strap handstand — the straight-body bridge between the rings shoulder stand and a true freestanding rings handstand, straight from Overcoming Gravity.

Learn the rings shoulder stand — the inverted foundation for every rings handstand. Understand scapular setup, wrist control, and how to progress to the strap and freestanding handstand.

The one-arm handstand is the pinnacle of handstand skill. Learn the prerequisites, progression approach, and how to train it without overloading your joints.

Learn the one-arm handstand progression: straddle weight shift, finger-by-finger removal, wrist conditioning, and how to reach a true one-arm hold.

Master the ring muscle-up with Overcoming Gravity programming — false grip mechanics, the kip-to-transition sequence, wrist prehab, and how to progress to the strict version.

Master rings dips with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — scapular mechanics, the RTO cue, costochondritis prevention, training frequency, and how to progress to L-sit dips.
Master the pistol squat with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — unilateral mechanics, full-depth technique, balance progressions, and how to move to weighted pistols.
Master the L-sit with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — hip flexor mechanics, the 50/50 compression protocol, training frequency, and how to progress to V-sit and manna.

Master the full back lever with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — shoulder extension mechanics, the isometric hold protocol, elbow prehab, and what comes next.

Master the full planche with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — scapular protraction mechanics, the 3×/week isometric protocol, wrist prehab, and what comes after.

Master the full front lever with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — scapular mechanics, hold progressions, straight-arm connective tissue care, and what comes next.

Master strict ring muscle-ups with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — false grip mechanics, transition technique, training frequency, and how to progress beyond.

Master the freestanding handstand with expert programming from Overcoming Gravity — scapular position, finger balance, wrist prehab, and how to progress to one-arm work.

Master the wall handstand — the essential isometric foundation for every freestanding and one-arm handstand. Learn proper alignment, training frequency, and how to progress faster.