What does it mean to get "primal" in our movements? Whilst the word "primal" may conjure images of our ancestral cavemen, in the fitness world, primal relates to foundational and functional movement patterns.
Integrating this style of movement into your training routine has an immeasurable amount of benefits- so let's go get primed !
What Are Primal Movements?
Primal Movements are foundational movement patterns that humans have been doing since......they were humans! There are acknowledged "7 Primal Movement Patterns" which are:-
- The Squat *The Lunge *Pushing *Pulling *Bending
- Twisting *Locomotion ( walking - jogging etc)
Most people in their daily lives/workout have done every single one of these movements however the key with truly practising primal movements is to focus on combining them into a singular exercise pattern - in this case it can be called a primal pattern. When we move through these patterns without isolating them, we move in tune with nature and holistically build our bodies. Isolating our muscles and movements can be beneficial for building strength in a specific muscle, but it does not help to build overall strength, agility, flexibility, explosive power and other markers of holistic fitness.
Try Primal Movements
As adults, we become conditioned to performing only a specific set of movements, since we are rarely crawling on the ground and wilfully bending in certain poses. This creates less range of mobility in our muscles and joints, leading to stiffness and less efficient movements. It is also why yoga can feel difficult for us as beginners. We are no longer accustomed to twisting and bending in all of the ways the human body is designed to move.
When you begin to practise primal movements, you also strengthen your entire core by engaging in rotational (twisting) movements. Instead of only working your frontal abs and obliques, you target the entire corset of muscles running along your back and sides. This aids in developing massive stability and flexibility, which can help you push more weight and master movements that require balance and agility.
Primal Movements also combine aerobic (locomotion) with strength and mobility moves, leading to the ultimate synthesis of fitness. This enhances coordination abilities, some you are training your body to engage in several types of movement patterns at once, rather than isolating them. Hence you increase your range of motion and stamina simultaneously, leading to better performance in and out of the gym.
And.......primal movements are fun. In a way they are reminiscent of dancing, as one movement flows into the other. They are also similar to Eastern styles of movement, like Qigong and even Martial Arts. As the mind is connected to the body, these styles of movement also encourage fluidity and decompression of thought which is why they are utilised in meditative physical practises like Qigong.
So start on your way to complete fitness by squatting-lunging -pushing- pulling- bending-twisting and moving and get go primal !