calisthenics

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek κάλλος (kállos) Ancient Greek σθένος (sthénos) Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic Old English -as Middle English -es English -s English -ics English calisthenics From Ancient Greek κάλλος (kállos, “beauty”) + σθένος (sthénos, “strength”) + English -ics.

1. Physical exercises with the participation of a multitude of muscles and often minimal equipment (thus, usually bodyweight exercises); strength training aspects and cardio aspects are both involved, and stamina is often a focus.

   “Just before sacktime, the Captain stood beside his sleeping bag doing his daily calisthenics; stripped down to his flaming red long johns, […]”

   “The husband-hunt had been a failure. Carlo had taken at least a dozen potential Misters Right on test runs of longer or shorter duration—perhaps a few lines of IM [instant messaging], perhaps a couple of promising dates, or sexual calisthenics.”

2. A system of such exercises.