152: Spiky Exercise Opinions
Spicy takes re: movement and fitness 🌶
Here are fifteen of my personal opinions on exercise, fitness, and movement.
In no particular order. Just my perspective. N = 1.
Summary list
Save-able summary in PDF.
Supporting points below.
- The best mobility training is regular heavy strength training through wide ranges of motion.
Static stretching and flexibility ≠ usable mobility.
- Handbalancing is the coolest circus act.
Tumbling or partner acro comes second.
The best acts don’t require equipment.
- Most exercise "content" on the internet is rigidly prescriptive, shame-based, and/or shallow entertainment.
Intuitive exploration > rigid dogma.
- We should to spend more time sitting in different positions.
Excessive furniture use leads to postural problems and pain.
Most people would benefit from spending more time on the floor.
- Getting up and down from the ground is a vital skill.
Floor mobility is especially important if you are older or care for little ones.
- Physical education is the most important class in school.
Exercise facilitates student learning and improves stress management.
Yet many young people have traumatizing experiences in gym class, which can end up negatively impacting their relationship to movement for life.
- Hanging helps solve the majority of shoulder issues.
Hanging is critical for healthy shoulder, wrist, and elbow development.
Most adults don’t hang enough.
- The key to making fitness sustainable long-term is fun.
An enjoyable fitness practice that you commit to is better than a perfectly-optimized program that feels sterile, scientific, and boring.
Some amount of intrinsic motivation, social connection, or fun is required.
- Soccer (football) is the world's most beautiful game.
Perhaps this is not so controversial. ⚽
- The wrong footwear can really mess up your feet and toes.
Toes are important for balance, power, and gait.
More people should train ankles directly (ideally barefoot).
- Older fitness role models are essential.
We should study older fit adults to better understand longevity and health.
Older athletes and dancers are inspiring.
They show us what can be possible.
- Toddlers are excellent movement teachers.
There is a standard set of positions and transitions in development.
Over time, adults lose them because we stop using them.
- People should train hands, wrists, and fingers directly.
Hands are worth training directly in in specific, creative ways.
- The natural world is the best gym.
The human body wasn't designed run on treadmills or lift symmetrical weights.
Much better to swim, navigate uneven surfaces, explore, and carry objects.
Bonus: It comes with vitamin D.
- Someday we will all struggle with the basics.
Due to injury, age, illness, or disability - we all someday lose function.
It is only when we lose the skills related to the activities of daily living that we recognize them as precious and essential.
Thanks for reading.
Share your notes ✍
I'd love to hear from you!
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