Canadian teen perfects balancing act
Calisthenics athlete Daniel Reimer employs balance and strength holding onto fitness parallettes sitting on chairs. • Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
Daniel Reimer places himself in precarious positions that would intimidate the common man.
The Canadian calisthenics athlete balances himself atop the backrests of chairs, gasoline jugs and just about anything he can put his hands on or around.
Daniel sports a weight vest to intensify a workout.
Daniel, 16, can leap into a handstand position and walk down steps on his hands. He also can do the traditional moves of the body weight exercise regimen, including planches and levers.
For Daniel, the appeal of calisthenics is there are no limits to what he can do.
“There are an unlimited amount of different ways you can control your body in calisthenics,” he said. “I am currently doing a lot of dips, handstand push-ups and 90-degree handstand push-ups.”
Daniel explained form is vital.
“A lot of it has to do with learning the techniques than strengthening your muscles that you are using in that technique, so that you can perform that skill much easier,” he said.
Daniel stressed the importance of balance.
"Some people say you should master the form before the balance and some say master the balance before the form," he said. "I say do it in whichever order you prefer best. I master the balance before I master the form, always."
Daniel cited the most difficult move to execute is the one bending the arms at the elbows to lower the body to the ground, then straightening the arms to go back up while keeping the torso and legs parallel to the ground.
Daniel does a handstand on a fence.
“The hardest skill to learn was the full planche,” he said.
More than two years ago, Daniel saw someone doing calisthenics on a video. He was fascinated.
“I saw someone doing a full planche,” Daniel said. “It was a lot harder than I thought.”
He progressed quickly.
“I started to see my strength and physique improve after about two weeks of training,” Daniel said. “With a proper training routine and knowing what to do, you can progress much faster than anyone else who doesn’t know anything and is starting from the beginning like me. I didn’t know anything from the beginning.”
He only needed three months to learn the handstand push-up.
Daniel developed an impressive physique by becoming fitter.
“Some people progress faster than others,” Daniel said.
Putting in the time was crucial.
“I would work out 4 to 6 hours a week,” Daniel said.
Although it’s common for calisthenics athletes to develop a shredded physique from working numerous muscles, Daniel also has added significant muscle mass to his frame.
“Physique has nothing to do with progress,” he said. “Physique is all genetics and some hard work.”
Others are understandably awed when they see Daniel perform his feats.
“I haven’t done much in public yet,” he said. “But when I do, they are absolutely amazed at what I can do.”
Following high school, Daniel plans to participate in live events, have his own products and sponsors, and open a gym down the road.
His motivation changed as time passed.
“I used to watch other athletes for motivation,” Daniel said. “Now, I’m competing more with myself.”
He hopes his followers are inspired.
“I want to help them learn what I do,” Daniel said. “I always respond to DMs.”
He advised beginners to start with the basics.
“I would start with a good base — 30 push-ups, 15 pull-ups and 30 dips,” Daniel said. “That would be a start. Then start learning more advanced things.”
He said one element is key.
“Just have a goal,” Daniel said. “Just keep going.”
The link to Daniel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reimer_sw/
The link to Daniel's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reimer_sw