So what is REAL fitness?
The way I describe REAL fitness is really doing any type of physical activity you love and can stick to on a daily basis. But….. if you are looking for a workout to give you maximum results in minimum time, optimal fat burning, endurance, and is fun and challenging than its time to become familiar with Primal Fitness Movements and HIIT , My REAL ideal fitness choice.
Primal exercise and HIIT (high intensity interval training) are proving to be the real winners for improving your cardiovascular fitness, fat-burning capabilities, and overall health.
Primal exercise is moving and exercising the way our bodies are designed to and the way our primal ancestors did
- This includes walking, running, sprinting, skipping, hopping, crawling, swimming, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, rolling, isometric movements like planks, also push-ups and pull-ups to name a few…and getting outdoors in the sunlight is also important.
- Going for runs up and down hills and throwing in some sprints, swimming in the pool or lake, rock climbing or hiking are all primal ways of fitness. . Our bodies respond better to these functional natural movements vs. the same repeated exercise everyday. Primal movements create greater mobility and flexibility.
If you think about it our primal ancestors did not check into a gym jump on a treadmill and run in place for 30 minutes everyday nor did they go outside and run the same pace for hours. They went out to hunt and gather. So that would probably include a walk, run, sprint (maybe a few hops or crawls too), carrying/lifting heavy and maybe some pushing/pulling. Anthropological evidence has proven these efficient movements are not only healthy but a better way to achieve an athletic physique by tuning in to how your body evolved! An added bonus is that they are fun, you will feel like a kid again!
HIIT high intensity interval training is alternating between very intense bouts of exercise and low intensity exercise. For example, sprinting for 30 seconds and then walking for 60 seconds. HIIT can be done in the gym with weights or just with cardio. The degree of intensity will vary depending on your fitness level.The combination of primal movements with HIIT is a powerhouse for the body. You will see your body transform and your energy levels increase. Your body agrees with these movements, small muscles start to tighten and define, and you burn more fat. The best part is you can do this type of exercise on your own anywhere. You can add it in to an existing program easily! So next time out for a walk add in a few sprints or run changing your pace and going up a few hills then stop and add in some pushups and planks repeat this cycle for 15 minutes and you have a PRIMAL HIIT workout! There are hundreds of ways you can create your own unique Primal HIIT workout.
Lastly, because of the intensity HIIT is not something you should do every day as your body requires more time to heal in between sessions.
Here are a few links for you to these see movements in action.
http://www.syphustraining.com/, The best of both! HIIT and primal movement circuits, Mike Hacket Syphus founder
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-fitness/#axzz2WQsgTCVo Mark Sisson the Primal blueprint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwNwTUms8G0 Daryl Edwards The Fitness Explorer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VmWEseYN90 Dr. Josh Axe Burst fit.