Stephan Contratti

Max Shank über Körperliche Fitness und wie wir Sie definieren. (Beitrag auf Englisch)

There are many traits that one should develop thoroughly to achieve physical freedom. Here is a short (and not comprehensive) list:

Balance
Coordination
Rhythm
Strength
Speed
Endurance
Mobility
Vision
Resilience (toughness)

 

Many people go balls-to-the-wall with things like strength and speed but leave things like rhythm, coordination, and balance up to chance. What you end up with is a car loaded with horsepower and no steering wheel.

This describes the vast majority of athletes, personal trainers, and recreational exercisers alike…

Society put a premium on things like aesthetics and “how much ya bench?” so here’s what we got: We look AND MOVE like marble statues. Interestingly though, the traits that ACTUALLY help a person live better are on the other side of the spectrum.

The correct exercise is going to have something you enjoy, that develops the qualities above, that is safe, while also building strength and muscle.

Add these Movements to your Training:

Below are a few strategies to get the most frequently ignored qualities into your normal training plan.

 

1. Spend at least a minute between your sets (each side/direction).
2. Challenge yourself! You will get better with practice.
3. When ready to advance, do these on a balance beam (or 8 foot 2×4)

• Perform exercises on one leg (challenge yourself with eyes closed balance)
• Juggle
• Synchronize mobility drills/flow with a metronome or music (seriously, dance or shadowbox between sets of deadlifts)
• Do “Paperwork”

 

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to developing ninja-like abilities. And when I think about it, that’s really how I want to live my life. Like a ninja…with muscles… who carries heavy things.

What I love about this style of training is the dramatic improvement I’ve seen it have on so many people’s lives:

• Men (and women) in their 30s and 40s who finally stopped hurting after years of self-abusive style lifting. Men in their 60s and 70s finding the fountain of youth through improved athletic movement. I’ve seen people in their 20s skyrocket their strength AND feel better at the same time by doing LESS LIFTING and more PLAYING.

 

You’ll see that a lot of the best ways to improve these qualities are just games. They make the movement more fun and engaging. If you came to my gym, Ambition Athletics, you would probably be confused by how often everyone is smiling DURING the workout.

This is quite the opposite of many gyms where people’s faces are actually filled with pain and anguish.

“Exercise does not need to be painful, but don’t be afraid of a challenge.”

Max Shank

Physical Freedom is about the WHOLE BODY – not just a few of the bigger muscles. The eyes, the brain, the hands, the feet, the coordination, the breathing. => It all counts.

I’ve seen people have their goals and dreams completely derailed by basic (and easy to fix) deficits. AND I’ve seen other people get their freedom back by simply addressing those deficits!

I’ve studied neuroscience deeply for the past decade and I still find it hard to believe that your vision can influence your back pain (and vice versa). But it can – and it does.

By finely tuning ALL ELEMENTS of your human machine, you can supercharge your capabilities. Add in more vision and dedicated breathing practice and don’t be surprised if your deadlift and bench press go up. Learn how to juggle and you may find that your pullups are better than ever.

So when you exercise, do it the “right” way, for the whole body, for your WHOLE LIFE. Get the muscles you desire alongside the movement capabilities of a ninja.

I know there’s no “right way” to live life, but I’m definitely going to live mine like a muscular ninja.

---

Ich für meinen Teil hab meinen Weg oben im Text schon gefunden, du auch?

Wir sehen uns im Training 🙂