In a day and age where social media algorithms feed us a constant stream of people doing double back flips off moving cars, casting 720 spins breaking the laws of gravity and performing death defying handstand feats off some of the world’s tallest buildings, sometimes Calisthenics gets a bad rep for being a challenging and unattainable method of movement. And yes, while the things mentioned above are absolutely mind bogglingly impressive and hard feats of strength, they are not where Calisthenics begins, nor what needs to be an end goal in training for everyone. Your favourite athletes or anyone who you have looked up to, always started as a beginner. So again, regardless of your current level there’s always a place to start for everyone.

At ISA we maintain a holistic approach to all health and wellness encompassing whatever works for you and your individual lifestyle and circumstances! We specialize in Calisthenics so if you’re looking for a pure 100% bodyweight Calisthenics approach to training – you’ve found the right place! However, we do offer training that compliments many other training modalities that we facilitate as well. In fact, 90% of our students end up using a variety of methods to achieve their goals – weight training, kettlebell work, body building techniques, boxing and acrobatic training are all forms of movement that can and are sometimes incorporated into the individual journey based on your specific goals.

The goal at ISA is to spread the benefits and knowledge of Calisthenics to as many people as possible in order help achieve their goals – whatever that looks like for each person! After all, there will be some blood, sweat and possibly tears involved in your journey so we might as well have as much fun along the way as possible. Our priority is to help people - regardless of age, sex, ability, gender, or background - to move and feel better. ISA always has and always will be an inclusive community of growth and respect and we are looking forward to growing our community even more.

Where it all began and the Journey so far - From Mike Hannon (MikeMike) In 2014 I was at an open gym in Toronto where I watched a stranger doing something I had never seen before - a pull up that somehow had him end up on top of the bar in one smooth motion. I immediately made one attempt and was not successful (despite being able to do about 15-20 unbroken pull ups at the time)! Upon trying and failing again and again I decided I needed to know what the heck the thing was called and why the heck I couldn’t do it. Well, I approached that stranger in the gym (whom I still train with to this day) and I learned it was called a “muscle up” from the discipline called Calisthenics - and I clearly sucked at it.

Fast forward 10yrs later - I’ve held the Canadian unbroken push up record (I think I may still hold it), held multiple weighted muscle up records north of 32kg (70lbs), have coached thousands of students in Calisthenics, managed 2 gyms and owned my own Calisthenics gym from 2019-2022 (unfortunately it closed due to the Pandemic lockdowns). I’ve also guided many students into the double digits now on international podiums. It’s amazing to look back on that one conversation in 2014 that changed the course of my life and it’s safe to say, got me highly addicted to calisthenics.

What I’m more addicted to though, is helping build people’s foundation in Calisthenics and helping everyone achieve the movements they may not feel like they are capable of. I’ve taught people ages 4-85yrs old and everyone and every body is different and a new challenge and I couldn’t be happier with what I do. I have a passion for sharing calisthenics and health and wellness knowledge I don’t ever see that going away. One of my favourite things about what I do is how shocked some people are at just how much they are capable of and how proud people feel when they realize they’ve reached beyond even their original goals and want to keep having fun and growing mentally and physically.

One of the saddest things in the world for me was the loss of my gym as a result of the Pandemic. Starting in 2016 with running Calisthenics bootcamps in the park and building all the way up to opening up a full physical gym space and community in 2019 and then losing that physical space due to the worldwide pandemic – it was honestly and truly heartbreaking in so many ways. But, what did not break was my spirit – my indomitable spirit. Because no one or nothing can take that away.

I will strive until the day I die to continue to build communities of love and growth and to share my passion for Calisthenics, movement and health and wellness for those who are willing to learn.

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.