I always comment on average lifters as well, because I'm not a bodybuilder and theres not alot on here anyway. Doing a amature show or 2 15 years ago dosent make somone a bodybuilder. Most if us just like to follow the lifestyle.
yea I agree most people wont use calisthenics to build muscle it's not optimum and they dont have too. I said it can be done out of necessity. I never said they would put on more muscle than someone lifting weights. No ones gana be a ifbb pro doing just calisthenics, but I dont see why a beginer or natural couldn't put on 20 pounds of muscle ina couple years with recovery and diet decent. I've seen people build great chests with just push ups and dips, and Ive build good wide lats with just pullups in different variations.
But I dont need to show u, it's just common sence ur argument has basically been u cant build decent muscle with calisthenics. That's just preposterous. At ur age and expirence I wouldent expect that. I guess I get where ur thinking is coming from I've never seen anyone ur age doing pull ups of course machines and weight would be better and safer , but when u were in ur 20's I'd bet it would work for u.