How often have you heard yourself or a friend say “the gym is so boring’?

To maximise efficiency, exercise should be interesting, varied, flowing and include a whole body focus.

Ready to try something new?  Here is this week’s video and see below for theory:

8 reasons why I advise this kind of exercise over machines:
  • Exercising with dumb-bells allows your body to move in a flowing and co-operative way. With a little practice, this will feel very natural and it means you are moving with the design of your body…moving as one. Something you won’t get from a typical linear gym machine.
  • It’s way more enjoyable, which is great for keeping motivated.
  • Using free weights allows for great creativity.  Stimulating your body from different angels is key for continued results.
  • Training with a whole body focus helps you understand why you are doing an exercise.  Apart from all the usual benefits like feeling stronger and looking better another key reason is the support you gain for everyday life.
  • Dumb-bells are often performed standing which allows for all the great benefits associated with balancing and weight bearing.
  • It reduces joint compression and over stretching and therefore the risk  injury.  Gym machines have adjustments to help fit most bodies, but getting it right isn’t always easy so you run the risk of over stretching.
  • Training like this helps release tension and heal injuries.
  • It naturally engages your core.

I didn’t always think like this and I used to move in the traditional isolated and linear way. Even with dumb-bells there was always this underlying coaching to be static and only move the muscle your trying to exercise.  It all changed in 2000 when I met Judith Aston and my view on exercise was turned upside down.

Judith introduced me to a variety of amazing movement concepts that challenged yet enhanced how I move.  These concepts still form the foundation of how I teach Pilates, toning and fitness and also how I personally move in life.

It’s time to challenge tradition

All too often exercise is taught to have this ‘one body-part focus’.  You may have heard sayings like “you must isolate just your hip” or “keep everything still apart from your forearms”  Moving in isolation is not natural.  It’s just an idea somebody came up with and unfortunately it stuck.

Due to the interconnectedness of our muscular and nervous system it’s not even possible to move your little finger with your toes knowing about it!  Also it lends nothing to daily life.  Have you ever tried getting out of your car using just one hip?!

We need to learn how to move co-operatively

Please try out this week’s video.  It takes the Aston Kinetic’s concept of Co-operative Motion and applies it to a couple of exercises with dumb-bells.  It’s a great way to liven up your gym exercises.  I also remind you how to use your legs more when lifting weights.

Why not give this a go and enjoy moving your body as one…at the gym, at the office and around your house!  And if you don’t feel like working out today, try it without dumb-bells to release any shoulder tension and enhance your posture.

Take care, thanks

Danny

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