Our Team Just Competed at the Highest Level of UK Calisthenics
Several Cali Fit members recently competed at two Bodystrong UK competitions, and they absolutely delivered. Mike Portsmouth, Joe Boba, Stewart Smith, Danielle Van Cryk, and Neil Swift stepped onto the platform and proved what months of dedicated training can achieve.
If you're not familiar with competitive calisthenics, Bodystrong UK runs the premier weighted calisthenics circuit in Britain. These aren't casual workout challenges. Athletes add serious weight to foundational movements like pull-ups, dips, and muscle-ups, testing their maximum strength under strict judging standards.
How Bodystrong Competitions Work
Bodystrong UK follows international FinalRep standards, which means these competitions serve as qualifiers for European and World Championships. Athletes compete in weight classes across four disciplines: weighted pull-ups, weighted dips, weighted muscle-ups, and weighted squats.
Each athlete gets 2-3 attempts per lift. Judges enforce strict form requirements: no kipping, no swinging, full range of motion, complete lockouts. Your combined total across all lifts determines your placement within your weight category.
The technical precision required makes these competitions particularly challenging. Hanging 80+ kilograms from a belt around your waist while pulling your entire bodyweight until your chin clears the bar? That's when you realize this isn't about endurance or flashy skills. It's pure, functional strength.
The Pull-Up and Dip Competition
Mike Portsmouth, Joe Boba, and Stewart Smith competed at the Bodystrong Pull-Up and Dip Competition, focusing on upper body pulling and pushing movements that form the foundation of calisthenics strength training.
Each athlete brought different strengths to the platform. What matters most isn't just placement (though we're proud of their results). It's that these athletes committed to months of focused training, showed up when it counted, and represented our community with genuine determination.
London Regionals at Kalos Sthenos Republic
The Bodystrong London Regional took place at Kalos Sthenos Republic in East London, one of the UK's premier calisthenics facilities. Mike Portsmouth competed again, joined by Danielle Van Cryk and Neil Swift.
London draws some of the strongest competitors in the country. Having our Andover-based athletes travel to compete at this level shows serious dedication.
Danielle's participation deserves special recognition. Women's weighted calisthenics is still growing, and seeing our female athletes compete helps expand the sport while demonstrating that strength has no gender boundaries. The weights might be scaled differently, but the heart, discipline, and determination required are identical.
What This Means for Cali Fit
These results show what we're building here.
Our coach Lucas has competed internationally at Arnold's Fitness Expo and won the South West Regionals in street lifting, ranking in the UK's top 5 in his weight category. Watching our members now follow that competitive pathway proves we're not just teaching movements. We're developing genuine athletes who perform under pressure.
But here's the important part: not everyone at Cali Fit needs to compete. These competitions exist for those who want that extra challenge, but our classes welcome everyone from complete beginners to seasoned competitors. The same training principles that helped Mike, Joe, Stewart, Danielle, and Neil succeed will help any member get stronger, build confidence, and reach their personal fitness goals.
What Comes Next
After some well-earned recovery time, our athletes will plan their next steps. Some might target nationals. Others might focus on building their totals for future regionals. A few might step back from competition and apply their strength to other training goals.
Calisthenics training is beautifully versatile. Competition strength transfers to everything: better endurance, easier advanced skills, improved body composition, enhanced overall fitness. Whether our athletes continue competing or not, they're stronger and more capable now.
Thinking "could I do that?" The answer is probably yes, with proper training and dedication. Every competitor started as a beginner who could barely do a pull-up. The pathway from beginner to competitor involves consistent training, progressive challenges, and a supportive community to keep you accountable.
Train With Us
If our athletes' success has inspired you, join our community. We run classes for all fitness levels, from complete beginners to experienced athletes preparing for competition. Our coaching team, led by Lucas, brings genuine competitive experience and knows how to scale training for individual needs.
Your first class is free with the code FREESESH. No obligations, no pressure. Just a chance to experience what training at Andover's only calisthenics-exclusive gym feels like. Whether your goal is competing at Bodystrong nationals or nailing your first unassisted pull-up, we'll help you get there.
Classes run Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Dawn Breakers gym in Andover. View our full timetable and book through our website. We also offer online coaching for those who can't make in-person sessions but still want expert calisthenics guidance.
A Message to Our Competitors
To Mike Portsmouth, Joe Boba, Stewart Smith, Danielle Van Cryk, and Neil Swift: thank you for representing Cali Fit with dedication and heart. Your commitment to training, willingness to test yourselves, and the example you set for other members makes our community stronger.
Competition offers a unique way to measure progress, push boundaries, and discover what you're truly capable of achieving. But whether you compete or not, the principles stay the same: consistent training, progressive challenges, proper technique, and supporting each other.
That's what we do at Cali Fit. That's what we'll keep doing.
Ready to start your calisthenics journey? Check out our class timetable and join us for your first free session. Maybe we'll be celebrating your competition success in a future post.
