The human body is not only made to move, it's actually made to move often and well.
Movement is the key to survival, and survival is the ONLY thing the brain thinks about. The brain processes hundreds of billions of signals per second, all of which are meant to adjust for a better chance of survival.
A natural reaction
So why is this important in regards to working out? Well, it’s simple. Each move you make, each run you take, and each time you jump has an effect on your body. Your brain is thinking:
- What is this move?
- Why am I doing it?
- Will it help me survive?
Movement training
Your body is programmed with general movement patterns that are wired in at birth. You learn how to do these movements as a baby, and each time you do them, the pattern gets stronger and stronger ... and so do you. These movement patterns are all designed to help you be able to stand, walk, climb, and run - fast! Your body wants to be able to do these moves as efficiently as possible because they are essential for survival.
This is why movement training is SO important in all aspects of fitness and health. Remember your body WANTS to be better at these moves. For example, take standing up which is one of our general movement patterns. Standing up or squatting is arguably the most important movement pattern for the human body.
Humans are bipedal species made to be on two feet, and that happens by squatting. One of the best things you can do is improve your squat pattern and then challenge it. If you challenge your squat, your brain will literally take that signal and think, Uh-oh! I need to be better at this move. If I had less body fat and more lean muscle, this squat would be easier. The body will respond and change faster because of the importance of the movement pattern.
Other important moves include pressing, reaching, pulling, lunging, stepping, and twisting. Challenging and improving these movements will have a high adaptation response.
Two important things to remember about movement ...
1. Make sure you challenge the movement enough for there to be a stress response. If the movement isn't hard enough, the brain will see no big reason to have to change anything.
2. Make sure you have the mobility and stability to do the movement pattern effectively. If you do not have the necessary mobility or stability, you might compensate by sending a negative signal to the brain causing a negative response.
At Levo, we have mastered what movements need to be challenged or corrected, depending on your goals and fitness level. Ask us today about how movement can help you reach your specific health and fitness needs.
