Calisthenics is a uniquely Australian artistic sport. Calisthenics involves a team of participants learning routines choreographed to music, incorporating elements of dance, gymnastics, singing, acting, marching, ballet, apparatus technique and performance skills.

As a sport, calisthenics improves coordination, mobility, balance, strength, flexibility and posture as well as fostering self-esteem and team spirit. As an art it encourages an appreciation of music rhythm, the celebration of movement and the excitement of performing on stage.

Karoo Calisthenics College is a competitive College.

Calisthenics promotes a healthy body and a healthy mind. Being part of a team develops self-discipline, teamwork, commitment, responsibility, self-esteem and lasting friendships. The combination of movement and performance skills provides fitness, coordination, rhythm, grace, deportment and confidence.

What are the different routines?

Figure Marching
While the marching team executes many intricate floor patterns, deportment and uniformity remain the most important factors.

Free Exercises
A team of 8 or more pupils perform a series of strong movements involving flexibility, control and uniformity of rhythm. Routines test the pupil's stamina, flexibility and timing, and can sometimes be very challenging and complex. The pupil's operate with 'free arms' which means "holding no apparatus".

Rod Exercises
Eight or more pupils perform similar movements to Free Exercises, with the added complication of a long rod apparatus in their handswhich is manipulated constantly and quickly through the routine.

Club Swinging
This is probably the hardest routine to perform correctly. A team of 8 or more pupils are required to swing clubs in unison with perfect rhythm and uniformity, planing in a circular action. The more intricate routines also require the pupils to move around the stage and execute leg movements at the same time as executing the correct club swinging technique.

Aesthetic Exercises
A team of 8 or more pupils perform graceful movements. Their task is to interpret music with feeling and softness, as reflected throughout their body and facial expressions. Many balletic positions are used in order to execute the movements correctly.

Rhythmic Dance
Soft natural dancing is seen in this item. Teams are assessed on their elevation, body line, grace, dance quality, poise and interpretation of a theme. Due to the strengths and techniques involved in performing these routines, which are based on balletic movements, it is only performed by older sections and in the higher divisions.

Folk Dance
National Dances from all over the world are performed and interpreted theatrically. Pupils are expected to display correct steps in unison, while also conveying national character, agility and vitality.

Song and Dance
A team of pupils present a routine that combines singing with modern dance/jazz steps. Adjudicators place heavy emphasis on the quality of singing, presentation, style, facial expression, and the correctness of dance steps.

Action Song
Team members join together to present a musical item comprising singing, acting and choreographed movement. Young participants especially enjoy this item.

Calisthenic Spectacular
These routines can combine dancing, singing, gymnastics, balletic movements, comedy and in some cases, costume changes in the wings, to make a breathtaking item. These items must comprise fifty percent dance and fifty percent calisthenic movement of physical value and above all, it should be spectacular and entertaining.

Stage Revue and Stage Medley
These items are very similar to a Calisthenic Spectacular but do not have the restriction of fifty percent dance and fifty percent calisthenic movement as it allows for singing, dancing and acting as well as physical movements.