All of us watched the Olympics in Rio at some point this summer I'm sure.
Of course each of the athletes trains hard and trains often, so is somewhat expected to have a pretty amazing
physique.
However, as Gray Cook states above, it is movement that creates this physique, not necessarily rep after rep in the gym.
Isolating muscles to train in sections decreases the motor control, balance. mobility and stability our body can develop to move as a whole
We are one unit so we need to move as one!
Watch children play and they aren't focusing on getting tight 'abs', a firm butt or reduce the belly fat.
They are trying to reach that branch to climb on, chase Daddy across a field or roll down a
hill.
Natural movement is somewhat lacking in our fitness 'regime ' and we need to bring it back
Exercises that use compound (multi-joint) movements (squat, deadlift, pull ups and lunges) are a step in the right direction, although we need a couple more additions to maybe add in that beautiful
movement.
Of course skill set, injury history and strength play high in these, however having a look at the following exercises can be a level up in your physical development:
- Loaded Carry/ Farmers Walk: Grab two huge dumbells/ Kettlebells/ anything heavy and walk as far as you can with them. keep upright, grip strong (for as long as you can)
and shoulders back. When you have gone as far as you can.
- Kettlebell/ Turkish Get Ups: Check out the below video. The Get Up is one the finest movements there is, and takes your entire body through all the main movements a child learns as they develop up to walking. This is the foundation of a strong body and it is surprising how supple and alive you feel after mastering
this!