Do you get excited when it's time for gym class? If you're like many children, a whole class period spent playing dodgeball or kickball sounds delightful in the midst of an otherwise busy day of reading, writing, and math.

Gym class isn't always spent playing games, though. Often the focus switches to improving physical fitness through exercise, and you'll likely find yourself doing calisthenics.

Are calisthenics those special exercises you do when you lift weights? Could they be the exercises you do on those special machines you see at the gym?

If you've ever done exercises in gym class, then you know most school gym classes aren't filled with fancy exercise machines, such as treadmills or rowing machines. There usually aren't a bunch of racks filled with free weights, either. Instead, the exercises most children do during gym classes are calisthenics.

Calisthenics are exercises that don't require machines or additional weights. Calisthenics are sometimes referred to as body-weight training, because the repetitive exercises that comprise calisthenics use only the resistance provided by your own body to burn calories, increase flexibility, and build strength.

Calisthenics exercise routines can be customized for any level of fitness. One of the biggest benefits of calisthenics is that they only require your body, a floor, and some space to move. Rather than needing to go to the gym, you can do calisthenics just about anywhere. That's also why they're popular in school gym classes.

Popular calisthenics exercises include sit-ups, push-ups, squats, thrusts, jumping jacks, and leg lifts. Many people perform a variety of different calisthenics exercises for a well-rounded workout. Others may choose to concentrate on particular exercises to work on certain parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, or stomach.

The health benefits of calisthenics training are numerous. Calisthenics help to increase strength and build muscle mass. They also improve flexibility. As you burn calories doing calisthenics, you can also lose weight and improve your overall health.

If you want to improve your health, build muscle, increase flexibility, and lose weight, calisthenics training is a simple way to exercise that doesn't require machines or additional weights. No matter how fit you currently are, you can design a calisthenics program that will help you reach your fitness goals.