“Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way.” – Swami Vishnudevananda
At PaleoTraining, we respectfully understand that the path lies elsewhere, and we feel and advocate for functional training from a pure and authentic perspective, where natural movement is at its core. It is a revolutionary approach that focuses on improving function and performance in everyday activities, using human movements that are inherent to us, natural gestures.
The Foundation of Functional Training
Functional training is based on the idea that our bodies are designed to move efficiently and effectively in the real world. Unlike conventional workouts that solely focus on isolated muscle groups, functional training concentrates on compound movements and complete human gestures that serve a specific purpose.
At PaleoTraining, we emphasize natural movement as the foundation of functional training. We recognize that the human gestures that have been part of our evolution are inherently functional and have accompanied us throughout history. Our approach is based on understanding and utilizing these gestures in their purest and most exquisite form, developing the physical capacities that our bodies need to function optimally.
Functional Exercises and Movements
Some examples of functional exercises and movements include:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- Push-Ups
- Object Dragging
- Rope Climbing
- Jumps
These movements mimic actions we perform in daily life, such as lifting heavy objects, squatting to pick something up from the floor, pushing furniture, or lying down on the ground and getting up. By consistently training these movements, we improve our strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance, enabling us to confidently face any physical challenge that comes our way.
Integration of Innovative Equipment
In our functional training, we also address the integration of innovative equipment and tools. While we value the natural movements of the body, we recognize that technological advancements and equipment can complement and enhance functional training. These can include kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls, and self-propelled treadmills and rowers, among others. We strategically use these tools to challenge the body in different planes of movement and expand the spectrum of stimuli in a safe and standardized manner.
The Four Domains of Functional Movement
As a hallmark of PaleoTraining, functional movement encompasses four main domains:
- Terrestrial Territory (Bodyweight Training)
This approach involves using body weight as resistance and performing exercises such as push-ups, squats, planks, and lunges, among others, to strengthen and tone muscles comprehensively in the terrestrial plane. - Aerial Gestures (Log-Based Movements)
These movements imitate natural gestures of jumping over logs, hanging from logs, and maneuvering over or under tree logs, requiring a combination of strength, stability, and coordination. By performing these movements, we uniquely stimulate the major muscles of the body, in a way that is close to our species, and improve our ability to perform physically demanding tasks in the aerial plane. - Lifting Movements
This domain includes exercises such as lifting heavy logs, kettlebells, sandbags, etc. We have various forms of loading, ranging from “atlas” and shoulder carries to the well-known Olympic movements. These movements allow us to develop strength and power in large muscles, improving the quality and efficiency of our functional movements. - Locomotion (Endurance and Cardiovascular Resistance)
This involves activities such as running, rowing, and carrying heavy objects while walking. These movements help us improve our cardiovascular capacity, increase endurance, and prepare ourselves for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Comprehensively and Balanced Development
Together, these four domains of functional movement in PaleoTraining allow us to comprehensively and balance the development of strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination. We ensure to offer a diverse and challenging approach in our training, allowing our members to move naturally and functionally, strengthening their bodies and improving their overall quality of life.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
In conclusion, functional training offers a pure and authentic approach to improving function and performance in everyday activities. At PaleoTraining, we value natural movement and use it as the foundation of our functional training. Through natural, inherent, and necessary human gestures, we transform our bodies and master our lives.