The Only Calisthenics Equipment I Use After 15 Years

Performing a one arm leg raise on gymnastics rings while flexing

people think you don’t need equipment for calisthenics…

But after 15 years of training, competing, and coaching 1000s of students, I’ve learned that’s far from the truth.

When people picture calisthenics, they often imagine someone training completely equipment-free.

Just you vs. gravity.

And while that is true, it leaves out a huge part of the story.

If you’re serious about building strength, mastering skills, and avoiding injuries long term… you need the right tools.

Not a gym membership. Not a full rack of weights.

Just a few smart, minimalist pieces that elevate every rep.

In this blog, I’ll break down:

• The exact calisthenics gear I’ve kept in my kit for nearly 2 decades

• How each item can help you achieve your goals faster

• Exercises for every single level, and how I personally use them

• How to avoid wasting money & choosing the right gear

Whether you’re chasing a muscle-up, handstand, or full planche, this guide will help you train smarter, safer, and stronger.

Let’s get into it.

How To Avoid Wasting Money on Equipment

Let me save you from the mistakes I made early in my training journey.

Here are 3 hard lessons I learned the painful way — and what they mean for your progress.

lesson #1: “Buy Cheap, Buy Twice”

When I first started, I bought whatever was cheapest on Amazon.

The resistance bands? Snapped after a few sessions.

The rings? Plastic edges that cut into my forearms.

My first doorframe bar? Nearly took the wall with it.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that cheap gear costs more in the long run. Not just in money — but in progress, frustration, and injury risk.

lesson #2: Cheap Gear Is Dangerous

If you're training calisthenics seriously — planches, handstands, muscle-ups — your equipment isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a safety system.

A shaky parallette or poorly stitched strap can ruin your session. Worse, it can wreck your body.

I’ve torn a bicep before. It’s not worth the risk.

When your goal is control, strength, and consistency, your tools have to be rock solid.

lesson #3: Cheap Materials = Hidden Damage

Most cheap gear is made with synthetic, low-grade materials that:

• Leach chemicals into your skin (especially rubber bands)

• Break down quickly or warp with use

• Are made in bulk, with zero concern for sustainability

They’re not made to support your body — they’re made to cut corners.

The gear I use now is built with:

• FSC-certified natural rubber

• Sustainably sourced wood

• Organic cotton

• Recycled aluminum

• And skin-safe, non-toxic cork

That’s not just for the planet, it’s for your safety and long-term performance.

The change

Here’s the real mindset shift I made:

Buying quality gear doesn’t cost more, it saves you more.

You train better. You train longer. You train safer.

• No replacements every few months

• No weird slipping, snapping, or wobbling mid-set

• No toxic materials inflaming your skin

• And no missed progress due to inconsistent gear

Whether you're building your first handstand or chasing a full planche, your tools should support you, not sabotage you.

So if you’re in this for real: Invest once. Train for life.

Gym Rings (The Only Tool You Really Need)

What It’s For

Gym rings are the beast of all calisthenics/bodyweight equipment.

It’s the most powerful tool in calisthenics.

They let you train 100s of exercises from push, pull, core, mobility, and isometric strength — anywhere, at any level.

Every exercise becomes scalable, adjustable, and more effective with rings.

Why I Use the Minimalist Gym Rings

These are the backbone of my training. I use them daily — at home, in the park, or while traveling. Whether I’m working on muscle-ups, levers, handstand push-ups, or just building clean reps, rings are always in my setup.

Unique Strengths of the Minimalist Gym Rings

• Fat grip grip — ideal for wrist comfort and forearm activation

• Compact and lightweight — fits in carry-on bags and small backpacks

• Fast, frustration-free setup — straps never need to be rethreaded

• Strap groove + soft rope = no forearm scratching and better range for dips and transitions

• Built from sustainable wood, ocean-recycled rope, and organic cotton straps

Limitations

• Rings require more stability than bars, which can be frustrating early on

• Outdoors, they need a solid anchor (tree, bar, beam) which are not ideal in tight indoor spaces like hotels

Progressions by Level

Beginner

• Incline push-ups

• Assisted rows

• Supported dips

• One-leg squats with strap

Intermediate

• Ring dips

• Pull-ups

• L-sits

• Skin-the-cat

Advanced

• Muscle-ups

• Weighted dips

• One-arm pull-up progressions

• Front lever tucks

What I Train

• Handstand push-ups

• Weighted supersets (dips + rows)

• Front Lever

• Jump prep: resisted one-leg squats

YouTube video of the only 5 gym ring exercises you need to do from beginner to elite

Rubber Bands

What It’s For

Rubber bands are a must-have for progressive bodyweight strength.

You can use them to assist high-level calisthenics skills (like muscle-ups, planches, and one-arm pull-ups), or to add resistance to basics like dips, push-ups, and squats.

They're also useful for isolation exercises, warm-ups, stretching, and recovery.

Why I Use the Natural Rubber Bands

I use bands nearly every session. They're key for skill progressions, auto-regulating volume, and adjusting load without needing weights. I rely on them to fine-tune reps — especially when I'm bridging the gap between assisted and unassisted movements or building volume safely.

Unique Strengths of the Natural Rubber Bands

• Sustainably made from 100% natural rubber (no synthetic dyes or plastic fillers)

• Layered construction makes them highly durable and snap-resistant

• Soft texture and natural scent — no sticky, chemical feel

• Pairs perfectly with the MultiStrap for precise load adjustment

• Lightweight and packable — ideal for travel

Limitations

• They can’t fully replace the load and feel of heavy weights in all cases

• Bands degrade over time with exposure to heat, sun, or sharp edges — care matters

Progressions by Level

Beginner

• Band-assisted pull-ups

• Band-assisted dips

• Light resistance for push-ups or squats

• Mobility drills and joint prep

Intermediate

• Resisted dips and pull-ups

• Assisted front lever / planche tucks

• Resisted push-ups and one-leg squats

• Isolation work (curls, triceps, shoulder raises)

Advanced

• One-arm pull-up progressions with band support

• Resisted pistol squats with vertical jump focus

• High-tension planche and lever drills

• Speed-strength accessory work

What I Train

• Assisted one-arm pull-ups

• Resisted vertical jumps

• Front lever and planche progressions

• Isolation work for shoulders and arms

Me performing all the front lever progressions using rubber bands

Parallettes

What It’s For

Parallettes take pressure off your wrists while extending range of motion in push and planche-based movements.

They give you a stable grip, enable more advanced handstand training, and are perfect for higher volume pressing with less joint strain.

Why I Use the Fat Bar Parallettes

I use them to manage wrist load during planche and handstand sessions. The higher grip allows for deeper ROM and better control on explosive and eccentric reps. They’re essential for keeping my pressing mechanics clean across high-volume phases.

Unique Strengths of the Fat Bar Parallettes

• Fat grip = wrist relief + stronger grip activation

• Non-slip base pads for outdoor or unstable surface use

• Made from FSC-certified beech wood — durable and sustainable

• Small and lightweight enough for travel

• Smooth finish and stable feel under dynamic transitions

Limitations

• They’re not ideal for pulling movements

• They take up more space than bands or rings in a compact bag

Progressions by Level

Beginner

• Elevated push-ups

• Incline pike push-ups

• Static L-sits

• Low tucks

Intermediate

• Full-range push-ups

• Handstand holds

• Planche leans

• Parallette core slide-outs

Advanced

• Planche push-ups

• 90-degree push-ups

• Planche presses to handstand

• Supinated grip transitions

What I Train

• Pressing volume: planche push-ups, 90° reps

• Handstand work with varied grip

• Parallette to floor transitions

• Wrist-saving protocols during high-volume sessions

Video demo of me performing the planche press using Fat Bar Parallettes & natural rubber bands

Movement Pad / Movement Mat

What It’s For

These mats provide grip, alignment, and comfort for yoga, bodyweight strength, mobility, and floor-based skill work.

The Pad is a compact, travel-ready version. It’s great for handstands, knee support, and portable surface training.

Why I Use the Movement Mat and Pad

Personally, I use them for all my mobility, acrobatics, and joint-prep work. The mat gives me consistent grip and surface feedback for balance drills, and the pad lets me safely train outdoors or on harder floors. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to train on grass, or sand for example. I also use the markings to track alignment and progress.

Unique Strengths of the Movement Mat + Pad

• Natural cork surface that grips better as you sweat

• Extra width (70cm) for movement freedom

• Symmetrical line markers for alignment and tracking

• Lightweight: full mat is only 1.5kg — half the weight of typical cork mats

• Made from natural rubber, organic cotton, and recycled cork granules — no plastics or PFAS

Limitations

• Not meant for pulling work or vertical load (e.g. no band anchoring or heavy impact)

• The cork can wear down slightly faster than synthetic materials under high abrasion

Progressions by Level

Beginner

• Mobility sequences and soft surface training

• Knee-supported push-ups and stretches

• Intro to acrobatics (rolls, cartwheels)

• Core work (walk-outs, slide-outs)

Intermediate

• Flexibility drills (splits, bridge, hamstrings)

• Static balance work

• Outdoor push-up and squat training

• Alignment-focused drills

Advanced

• Low acrobatic entries (kip-ups, shoulder rolls)

• Full-body yoga flows

• Core transitions and support strength

• Freestanding handstands with grip control

What I Train

• Core walk-outs, mobility flows, shoulder extension drills

• Rolls and transitions for acrobatic control

• Outdoor handstand sessions using the Pad

• Passive stretching with tracking lines

YouTube video of me performing a full hip flow with a yoga, and professional ballet dancer on the Movement Mats

MultiStrap

The MultiStrap is the most minimalist, travel-ready utility strap out there.

It functions as a resistance anchor, yoga strap, weight belt, ring anchor, and distance tracker. It’s built specifically for total, minimalist training freedom.

Why I Use the MultiStrap

I use it to dial in the resistance of my band training with precision, especially for legs and assistance work. It also functions as a simple, clean way to anchor bands or rings while traveling. When I’m on the go, it’s the most versatile single piece I carry.

Unique Strengths of the MultiStrap

• Precise adjustment for assisted/resisted band exercises (1kg to 50kg)

• Strong enough to double as a weight belt

• 90% organic cotton, 10% synthetic fiber for durability

• Recycled aluminum hardware — lightweight, rust-proof

• Works with all Movement Made bands, mats, and rings

Limitations

• Requires some setup time when anchoring outdoors

• Not a load-bearing tool on its own = must be paired with other gear

Progressions by Level

Beginner

• Band-assisted squats and push-ups

• Door-anchor setups for light rows or tricep work

• Yoga strap for hamstring or shoulder stretches

• Measurement for consistent mobility work

Intermediate

• Weighted dips and pull-ups using strap as belt

• Band-resisted bodyweight movements

• Anchored lat pulldown variations

• Isometric and eccentric control drills

Advanced

• Precision banded planche or lever progressions

• High-tension leg work with 100kg+ resistance

• Controlled explosive jumps with band resistance

• Travel setups for complex mobility drills

What I Train

• Weighted pull-ups and handstand push-ups

• Resisted squats and vertical jump training

• Stretch tracking and mobility loading

• On-the-road ring setups and resistance anchors

Video demo of me setting up and using the MultiStrap. I perform some leg exercises while tracking and progressively measuring the band resistance

Final Thoughts

After 15 years of calisthenics, if I had to only choose two pieces of bodyweight equipment it would be:

• The gymnastics rings

• The rubber bands

The calisthenics rings, and resistance bands are the perfect combo where you can take them anywhere, and train at any level.

Together you have over 1000 exercises you could do with them.

So this is the gear I use every single week, and it's what I recommend to every student I coach.

I hope you found this blog valuable, and if you need help with your fitness journey, check out Berg Movement.

You can get all of my 120+ structured programs for 7 days free here.

– Sondre