How to start Calisthenics in Brighton

Hello Brighton,

Today’s article won’t be about tutorials or technical drills. Instead, I would like to take a moment to speak to those who don’t know how and where to begin their calisthenics journey here in Brighton. This guide will walk you through different options, from solo training to classes, personal coaching, and the best local spots.

I’m happy to say that things are finally moving in our city: more people are discovering calisthenics, and we now have more opportunities than ever to start—playgrounds, coaches, classes, and small communities are all growing. This is great news for someone like me who wants to see this amazing sport thrive.

But before you start your search, it’s important to understand your needs and goals. Here are a few questions to guide your decision :

• What type of person am I, and what do I really want to achieve?
  Do you feel more comfortable working one-on-one with a coach, or do you enjoy the energy of training alongside others in a class?

• How much attention do I need?
  Would you prefer a coach who gives you constant guidance, or do you like receiving instructions at the start of a session and then working independently?

• Current fitness level:
  How many push-ups, pull-ups, or squats can you do comfortably? How’s your mobility?

• Injuries or limitations:
  Do you have old injuries, joint issues, or flexibility restrictions that need special attention?

• Goals:
  Do you want to build strength, learn skills like handstands or planche, lose fat, gain muscle, or simply stay healthy?

Only by answering all of these you will find what you are actually looking for, and avoid wasting time or money.

I’ll give you two examples to make things clearer :

• 1. Mr Red is a 46-year-old man with a 9–5 office job. Recently divorced. He just watched a YouTube video about calisthenics and decided he wants to put on some muscle to boost his confidence. He’s motivated, but he also suffers from lower back pain due to years of sitting.

  Would a class work for him? On one hand, yes—he would meet people and benefit from the social side of training. On the other hand, because of his pain and current fitness level, he may need more specific attention than a group class can offer. A personal coach might be the best option.

  2. Ms Rose is 65, retired, and enjoys spending Sundays baking cookies for her family. Since retiring, she hasn’t been meeting many new people, and her fitness has been declining.

  Would a personal trainer suit her? Maybe—but does she need to spend that much money if her main goal is to stay active and meet others? Probably not. A group class would be a great choice. She’d exercise, have fun, and connect with people of all ages and backgrounds.

  
  Now you know what I am talking about.

  So what I am gonna do now is a list of options with pros and cons for each of them.

OPTION 1: PERSONAL TRAINING/COACHING 1-TO-1

Usually, people begin their fitness journey with a personal trainer when they are truly committed and clear about what they want. Hiring a trainer is an important decision, because a good one can genuinely change your life. Understanding what it means to be healthy and maintaining the routine you build is such a valuable skill that it can influence every area of life, from work to relationships.

A personal trainer should be seen as a guide, someone who teaches you how to become independent in your training. That, in many cases, is the ultimate goal. Most beginners who enter the fitness world are unfamiliar with training, which is why they seek out this kind of support. In calisthenics, however, my experience has been slightly different. I often meet people who already have some training experience and simply want to change their routine. Still, they remain a smaller group compared to complete novices.

The level of specificity in a routine and the attention a trainer gives you is something you won’t usually find in a class or anywhere else. You get direct feedback during each session: correcting your form, showing you what muscles you’re engaging, and making sure you’re performing every exercise properly.

If you’re someone who needs motivation, a personal trainer can also keep you accountable. A good trainer won’t just guide you in the session; they’ll often give you a program to follow at home and make sure you actually stick to it.

And let’s be honest: if you’re a talker who wants to stay fit but also needs someone to listen to everything going on in your life, a personal trainer can fill that role too: a bit like a barber or a bartender.

Finally, if what you really need is to build confidence with someone who will never judge you, then a personal trainer is the right choice.

Now, let’s move on to the bad news: cost. Personal training isn’t cheap. Remember, we don’t just charge for our time — we also pay for studio or gym hire, and of course, taxes. So when you see a price like £40/£50 an hour (or more), it’s not without reason.

When you hire a trainer, you usually have two main payment options: buying a block of sessions or paying monthly. Personally, I don’t think the block-of-sessions option is the best choice. They don’t encourage long-term progress — it often turns into “buy 10 sessions, learn what you can, and then off you go.” But fitness doesn’t work like that. You can’t expect to master everything in 10 one-hour sessions, no matter how skilled the trainer is.

That said, I do understand why some people choose this option. Sometimes clients come with very specific requests, or they know from the start that they won’t be sticking with a trainer for long. In those cases, a block of sessions can still make sense.

TYPES OF TRAINERS

Think of it this way: if you need a plumber, you don’t call an electrician. The same goes for personal trainers. If your goal is to learn calisthenics, it wouldn’t make sense to hire a bodybuilding coach and ask them how to do a muscle-up or a split.

You can go even further: if you want to improve your mobility, you should work with a coach who specializes in mobility. If your goal is to build muscle through calisthenics, look for someone with experience in strength and physique-focused calisthenics. And if you want to master a skill like the human flag, you’ll want a coach who specializes in calisthenics skills.

That said, calisthenics is still a relatively small niche, and from a marketing perspective, it’s not always practical for a coach to specialize in just one area ( if you are working face to face, if you are an online coach, you can do it ). Most of the time, you’ll find trainers who have experience across multiple areas, which can still be very effective; you just need to know what you’re looking for.

Here are the main niches in calisthenics:

• Calisthenics Aesthetics: Training focused on building a strong, lean, and balanced physique using bodyweight exercises, so basically it’s the equivalent in calisthenics of bodybuilding.

• Skills: Learning moves such as planches, human flags, and front levers. Calisthenics blew up because of big, jacked guys training outside, showing off cool moves, posting videos on YouTube, and getting more and more people into the sport.

• Endurance: High-rep or longer-duration training aimed at improving stamina and overall conditioning. Not spectacular, we can all agree with this, but very popular in competition.

• Streetlifting: Strength-focused calisthenics, including weighted pull-ups, dips, squats, and muscle-ups. Probably the most popular option if you want to compete in calisthenics. It’ powerlifting but translated into calisthenics.

• Handstanding: A specialized subset of skills focused on balance and control in handstands.

• Freestyle: The dynamic, creative side of calisthenics, involving spins, jumps, and complex combinations.

• Mobility & Flexibility: Work aimed at improving joint health, range of motion, and movement quality.
  

Last but not least, there are also 2 types of trainers :

1. One-to-one (in-person) coaching means we meet face-to-face. I can watch your form in real time, correct you on the spot, push you when needed, and adapt things immediately during the session.

2. Online coaching: offers more flexibility. You get a tailored plan designed for your goals, with regular check-ins, progress tracking, video feedback, and support via messages or calls. It’s ideal if your schedule is busy, you travel, or you prefer training in your own space.

FULL LIST OF PROS AND CONS

Pros:

• Personalized programs: Every session is tailored to your goals, fitness level, and any injuries or limitations.

• Direct feedback: Your trainer can correct your form in real-time

• Motivation and accountability: A good trainer keeps you on track, even with exercises to do at home ( program) .

• Safe progression: Reduces the risk of injury by teaching proper technique and progressing exercises appropriately.

• Confidence: Training in a non-judgmental environment helps you feel more comfortable as you improve.

• Flexible scheduling: You can usually arrange sessions around your work or personal commitments.

• Long-term guidance: A trainer can teach you how to structure your own training for independence over time.

Cons:

• Cost: Personal training is more expensive than classes or training alone.

• Time commitment: True progress usually requires long-term dedication; many don’t understand this and think they can achieve everything in a couple of months. Good luck with that.

• Less social interaction: It’s usually just you and the trainer( not always, some trainers offer sessions for more than 1 person, so for example, you have a partner or friend that wants to train with you).

Best for:

• Beginners who want guidance and safe progression.

• People with specific goals, injuries, or limitations.

• Anyone looking to build confidence and form a long-term, independent fitness routine.

• Those who value accountability, motivation, and attention.

WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN BRIGHTON

It would be counterproductive for me to list other Brighton trainers here, but my ethics force me to do it. This is an informative article, so there would be no point in not giving you a list of them. But, in total honesty, I’m not aware of any coach in this area who works exclusively—or even primarily—with one-to-one clients( me included). Many coaches who do classes also do 1: 2 : 1 , but I’ll give you a list of them in the next section. In the meantime, if you’re interested in working with me directly, please feel free to visit my contact page and reach out.

OPTION 2: CLASSES

Classes aren’t just for building strength or muscle; many people join for the sense of belonging. In a niche sport like calisthenics, a class becomes popular largely because of its community: people come back not only for results, but because they feel welcome, supported, and part of something.

A great community begins with great coaches. A top coach isn’t just technically skilled, but they’re creative, charismatic, and constantly learning. They must also have strong social skills: they should be approachable, encouraging, and able to connect with any kind of people. When people feel they are seen and supported, they’re more likely to stay, invite others, and contribute.

If you find a place where you see progress and meet new friends, just stay. You train more often, you improve, and you enjoy showing up because of both the results and the relationships.

Don’t underestimate the power of a group.

Some people prefer to train alone. Others with someone else. Many find that the energy, music, and friendly competition in a class push them further than they would go on their own.

Because classes run on fixed schedules (early morning, lunchtime, or early evening), they help you build consistency; you have to “show up.” However, that structure comes with a caveat: there’s generally less direct accountability if you skip. No one may message you to ask where you were ( at least not in big classes ), so your own commitment matters a lot.

HOW CALISTHENICS CLASSES ARE RUN DIFFERENTLY

Calisthenics classes can have very different programming styles, depending on the coach, the level of the attendees, and the goals of the class. Here are some common formats:

Class Structure ( Long-term )

The first step for a coach is deciding the general class structure ( in the long term ). This depends on many factors, but the main one in my opinion, is whether the class has roughly the same people each week. If people come regularly :

• Some classes use a consistent set of exercises ( skills) over several weeks (e.g. month or two), focusing on building consistency and mastery. I am talking about exercises such L-sit , muscle up, front lever, etc..Sticking with similar movements helps you improve because you get better at technique, strength, and control over time.

• Other coaches prefer to mix things up week by week: different themes, different exercises. I experimented with this a little bit when I was at Fitness First ( it was a gym in Brighton ), not the best option

Class Structure ( Single session )

These are 2 ways coaches build a class ( actually more than two, but these are the main ones ). What they choose often depends on what the members want and their skill levels:

1. Warm up / Skill techniques/strength/stretching: A session starts with mobility and warm-ups, moves into skill work or technique, then focuses on strength, and finishes with stretching or cooldown. This gives a bit of balance.

2. Theme classes : These are sessions centered on a particular theme, and you work on that for almost the whole class.

Styles

Coaches mix also different styles depending on intensity, time, and what they want to emphasize.

• Sets & Reps: Traditional strength format. Example: 3 sets of 8-12 reps of a pull-up progression. Useful for strength, hypertrophy, or focusing on form.

• EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute): You begin a task at the top of each minute; anything left in that minute is rest until the next minute begins.

• AMRAP (As Many Rounds/Reps As Possible): You do a circuit or set of movements for a fixed amount of time, trying to do as many rounds (or reps) as you can.

• Interval or HIIT-style bursts: Alternating periods of effort/rest. Could be time-based (e.g., 30s work, 15s rest) or based on rounds.

SUMMARY OF PROS AND CONS

Pros

• Guided instruction from a coach/coaches

• Structured routines

• Motivation from training with others

• Supportive community and chance to make new friends

• Corrections on form and technique

• Fun and energizing atmosphere compared to training alone ( but here as well depends by the class )

Cons

• Fixed schedules may not always fit your routine

• Less individualized attention compared to one-on-one training

• Progress pace may feel too fast or too slow depending on your level

• Can feel intimidating if you’re self-conscious in a group setting

• Not ideal if you want to learn advanced and highly technical skills

Who Is This For?

• Beginners who want guidance and a safer start

• People who struggle with motivation and benefit from group energy

• Social learners who enjoy training in a community setting

• Anyone who prefers structure rather than designing their own program

WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN BRIGHTON

1. Calisthenics Brighton at FMG
They run around 10 classes a week and are probably the most popular choice in the city. I first met Tom and Emma two years ago in a Brighton park, and my first impression was fantastic, they were so positive and dedicated to their dream of building a strong calisthenics community. I now run one of their classes, so I’ve seen firsthand how they structure their training over the long term. Each month, they choose a specific theme (such as the muscle-up or front lever). In class, you spend time practicing progressions and drills based on that theme, which is a great way to track your development.

2.Hive Fitness Class:I’ve been coaching strength classes at Hive for a year now, and I consider this place a bit of my peaceful island. I love the community, and I truly enjoy dedicating those 4–5 hours a week to our members. Starting in October, I’ll also be coaching a calisthenics class — so if you’re looking to combine strength and free weight training with calisthenics, I honestly can’t recommend a better place than Hive!

3. Seagym Calisthenics Classes
These are led by Joe, a strong and knowledgeable coach I first met two years ago at The Level Park while I was practicing handstands. A few weeks ago, I covered one of his classes, which focused on strength and fundamental exercises on the rings (ring push-ups, dips, body rows, pull-ups). The first part of the class was dedicated to handstand practice. Honestly, the location is amazing — training and coaching right by the seafront is great . I still hope the council will one day build a dedicated outdoor calisthenics playground along the seafront for everyone to use.

4. Underground Gym
I used to train here myself, and out of all the gyms I’ve tried in Brighton, this one has the most equipment suited for calisthenics. I’m not completely sure how they organize their classes, but I do know they have multiple coaches. One of them, Amyn, is a friendly and very strong trainer who also runs calisthenics classes for children.

5. Energy for Life : I met Armyn ( the coach ) only once, so I can’t tell much .H is a sociable and cool guy who run 3 classes a week at energy 4 life .

There are other classes and coaches around Brigthon, I think that they do something in Fitness Hub, Sapien Training and press rooms , but I personally don’t know them and what they do . Also if

OPTION 3 : TRAIN ALONE

To be honest, this is how many of us started back around 2010, when the calisthenics/street workout movement began. It’s definitely possible to teach yourself — there are countless online resources with valuable content. If you already understand the basics of training and just want to try something new, you’ll have an advantage: you’ll know how to filter out the junk and focus on what actually works.

As a beginner, self-training is still possible, but expect to make plenty of mistakes along the way. Each one will teach you something, and over time, you’ll figure out how your body responds and how to train more effectively. The main risk is that in the early stages, without guidance, you might push too hard or use poor technique, which could lead to injury. That’s why patience and self-awareness are key if you choose this path.

But where can you train here in Brighton? Well, you have a few options:

1. Train at home – You can definitely begin with just the basics: you just need a wall and the floor. Eventually, you might want to invest in some equipment, but it’s not essential at the very beginning.

2. Train in the park – Places like Wild Park or Preston Park have more equipment available. The downside is that it can get busy, and of course, the weather in Brighton isn’t always on your side.

3. Train in the gym – Most gyms don’t have a full setup for calisthenics, but you can still practice the fundamentals and even combine bodyweight training with weights. The cons here are: membership fees and how busy the gym is

So , before you start, it’s important to assess yourself: mobility, strength, balance, or whatever is most relevant to your goals. My advice for beginners and intermediates is to focus on strengthening the basics — exercises like pull-ups, dips, body rows, push-ups, and squats. These will build a solid foundation of overall strength. At the start, just focus on proper technique. There’s no need to go all out every session or train five times a week. You’’ll get injured.

Eventually, though, you’ll need to follow a structured program. Many people simply search online for pre-made routines and follow them step by step, but this rarely works. The problem is that these programs are not specific to your body, your level, or your goals, and without adaptations, they can leave you stuck and frustrated.

SUMMARY OF PROS AND CONS

Pros

• Very low cost. you just have to buy minimal equipment. Obviously, this depends on where you want to train. If you want to train in a gym, you’ll have to pay for a membership , if you train at home you’ll probably have to pay for a pull-up bar or dips bar. If you train in a park, you don’t have to worry about it.

• You have complete flexibility when training alone. However, keep in mind: at home , you set your own schedule; in a gym, you are limited by opening hours; in a park, the weather can be a challenge.

• Freedom to choose your own exercises and pace

• Plenty of free resources online (videos, articles, communities)

• Great option if you prefer training alone

Cons

• Higher risk of injury from poor form or overtraining: particularly true if you don’t know much about training

• Easy to lose motivation or skip sessions without accountability

• Slower progress if you don’t know how to structure training

• Can be overwhelming to filter good information from bad information.

• No direct feedback or corrections

• Possible to plateau without a structured plan

Who Is This For?

• Independent learners who enjoy figuring things out on their own

• People on a budget who want to avoid gym or class fees

• Those with irregular schedules who need flexibility in training times

• Experienced trainees who already know the basics and just want variety

Whatever you start with a local class, a personal coach , or just a pull-up bar in the park, the important thing is to take the first step. Calisthenics is a journey - and Brighton is a fantastic place to begin,