We all understand the benefits of exercise, especially in our ability to sustain our health and quality of life as we age – but do you know the best workout program for you? With so many trends, opinions, influencers, and fads you may be like so many other people who are sitting there wondering, “What is the best way to workout?”
This is an important question but for those who are recovering from a past injury, suffering from chronic pain, or have the kind of lifestyle that leaves them sitting at a desk for hours the question isn’t just important – it’s critical. If you want to get maximum results with less time in the gym and stay injury free – we have a workout program we can’t wait to share with you!
How the body was meant to move
So many of us are using our bodies in ways that are slightly unnatural but seem normal and overtime create aches, pains, and injuries. We hear it all the time, “Everytime I workout something aches: my back, my knee, my hip.” This discomfort can cause us to be less mobile to avoid the pain which is ultimately not the answer either.
The body wants to work and move in a certain way and when you are able to support the body’s natural intelligence you are able to get better results with less time. Many aspects of modern life (like sitting and driving) interrupt that pattern which can lead to compensations and ultimately injury or chronic pain.
It’s easy to think of our muscles independently but they are not isolated machines, they are meant to work as an interconnected team. When we continue to ignore or override how the body was meant to move, the body is forced to compensate and rely on other muscles to get the job done.
What is the best way to train?
Typical workout programs or gym sessions do not work with the natural body firing patterns that we just discussed. When you go to workout a muscle that is overly tired from doing another muscle’s job because that muscle was stiff from too much sitting, you are likely to create an injury
Structural Strength Training is our signature training program that works with your body’s natural movement pattern to train without triggering pain. It focuses on strengthening areas of the body that have a large job duty to support your body’s structure but usually get neglected in traditional training regimes. From back muscles or hip flexors, so many of our muscles are getting overworked and under-supported.
We focus on how the body is meant to move and the primary firing patterns that need to be activated to support daily movement. By honoring your body’s range of motion, you are more mindful of when the joint and tendons are at their weakest point (hint: that is when you are at the end of your body’s range of motion). For example, when you do a bicep curl and your arm is fully extended, the tendon and joint are at their weakest as opposed to when they are at 90 degrees they are at their strongest range of motion.
The benefits of structural training
Structural training works to strengthen your muscles but also honors those ranges of motion so you can live (and workout) injury and pain-free. Here are just some of the benefits:
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Minimal lactic acid buildup means getting stronger without getting sore
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Long-term healthy muscles, tendons, and joints
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Age gracefully and avoid injuries
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Honor the body’s intelligence and proper firing patterns
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Build muscle without sacrificing mobility, range of motion, or joint integrity
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Amplify circulation, support the lymph system and ensure proper stimulation of the nervous system
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Less time in the gym without sacrificing long term results