From Zero Pull-Ups to Building Strength with Calisthenics Rings
I didn’t start out strong, but I discovered a journey that transformed me—and it can transform you too.
It Wasn’t Always Smooth, But It Was Worth It
My Early Days
I started with soccer when I was six, dreaming of becoming the next big player. By the time I was twelve, I realized soccer wasn’t for me. I stayed active, though, and when high school came around, I joined a gym. It was fun at first, but after a couple of years, the routine became dull. Same exercises, no progress, and before long, I found myself losing motivation.
Then, COVID hit. The gyms closed, and I was determined not to let my progress slip. I bought a pull-up bar, installed it in my room, and thought, “This will be easy.” Spoiler: It wasn’t. I couldn’t even manage half a pull-up. HALF. A. REP. Two years in the gym, and this is what I had to show for it? Humbling.
Discovering Calisthenics
I turned to the internet for solutions and started experimenting with bodyweight exercises. It wasn’t smooth sailing—plenty of failed routines and frustrations. But I didn’t give up.
One day, my friends on Discord hyped me up to test my pull-up max. I guessed eight. They cheered me on to hit ten. To my surprise, I didn’t stop there. I did EIGHTEEN pull-ups! That moment was a game-changer—it showed me what I was capable of.
My Obsession with Rings
Push-ups and pull-ups were great, but I still couldn’t hit my chest as effectively as I wanted. After a failed attempt with a dip bar that literally fell apart, I stumbled across a YouTube video of an Olympic gymnast doing routines on gymnastics rings. I was hooked.
Rings weren’t sold in Tunisia, so I decided to make my own. My first attempt involved a shady carpenter who gave me the worst rings imaginable. They were practically decorative. Thankfully, my uncle came to the rescue, crafting the perfect pair of rings. With sturdy straps I bought at the local market, I was finally ready to train.
The first time I held myself up on those rings, I shook like a leaf in a hurricane. It was humbling—but thrilling. From there, I dedicated myself to mastering the rings, and little by little, I saw real progress. My first muscle-up. My first roll-over. And recently, a 40kg weighted pull-up.
If I Can Do It, So Can You.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck—to want to make progress but not know where to start. My journey with calisthenics rings wasn’t easy, but it transformed my body and my mindset.
That’s why I created this space: to help you skip the guesswork, avoid the frustrations, and get stronger alongside a community of like-minded people. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your training to the next level, you’re in the right place.