Diversify your workouts to improve movement mobility and strength. I am sure you have heard this before in todays health conscious world. But what does it mean? How can we diversify our workouts and why is it going to help us build strength?
Let me explain.
In our modern, sedentary world, where many of us find ourselves hunched over keyboards and sitting in office chairs for hours on end, our bodies are losing their natural agility and strength. We’ve evolved from a life of constant physical activity—climbing trees, hunting, and gathering—into one where most of our movements are confined to repetitive actions in front of screens. This shift has led to many of us developing stiffness, imbalances, and an overall lack of functional strength.
As a strength and conditioning coach, I see firsthand how the lack of varied movement affects my clients. When you stick to the same exercises and movements repeatedly, your body becomes highly proficient at those specific actions but may struggle with anything outside that narrow range. This is because our muscles, joints, and connective tissues adapt to the patterns we use most frequently. If you only train in one way, your strength and mobility are limited to those particular patterns, which can lead to weaknesses and increased risk of injury.
How do we fix this?
To truly excel in both everyday life and your chosen sport, it’s crucial to incorporate a variety of movements into your training routine. Diversifying your workouts helps maintain and enhance your functional strength. This gives you the ability to perform different physical tasks effectively and safely. Think about how our ancestors thrived on diverse physical challenges—they ran, jumped, climbed, and lifted in a myriad of ways to survive and thrive. Their bodies were strong and adaptable because they engaged in varied physical activities.
Incorporating different movement patterns into your routine can help prevent the stiffness and imbalances that come from repetitive strain. For example, including bodyweight exercises like crawling patterns, bear crawls, or different forms of crawling can be incredibly beneficial. These movements not only work multiple muscle groups simultaneously but also enhance your coordination, stability, and overall mobility.
At Strong Body Company, I emphasize the importance of movement variety. I integrate bodyweight exercises and unconventional movements into my clients’ training regimens. This approach helps keep you mobile, agile, and strong, counteracting the effects of our sedentary lifestyles. By working on diverse movement patterns, you ensure that your body remains adaptable and resilient, capable of handling various physical demands. Contact us if you want to learn more.
Diversify your workouts to improve movement mobility and strength but it will also challenge your mind and keep your training interesting.
How can we help?
First we run you through a very thorough assessment. This will allow me to learn about your habits, injuries and movement patterns. It will also clarify your goals and where we have to start with your programming.
Remember, the goal is to stay dynamic and strong across all activities. So, don’t be afraid to step outside your usual movement patterns and explore new exercises. Your body will thank you with increased strength, better mobility, and overall improved performance in both daily tasks and athletic pursuits. Let’s keep moving and evolving together!
If you are keen to book an initial assessment session please click here to book.