Natural movement
Natural movement – a way to train and develop your body naturally
There are different interpretations of the term “natural training”. Many people understand “natural training” or “natural fitness” as a form of bodybuilding where no drugs and stimulants are used to achieve results. For me “natural training” is a synonym for “practical training”. It’s a mixture of exercises and movement patterns that are accustomed to our bodies, for example, running, crawling, rock climbing, etc.
The basics of natural movement
The natural movement approach compared to the modern fitness industry is something really unique, despite the fact that people have used it for thousands and thousands of years. The modern man has forgotten how to move naturally. Something that was the second nature for humans for so long now is considered as something extraordinary or even weird.
We have come to a point where the majority of people don’t know how to move naturally and efficiently in the environment surrounding them. The aspiration to a naturally strong and healthy body certainly doesn’t start nor end with supplements, “magic” pills or running on a treadmill.
Natural training isn’t about reaching a certain number of repetitions or a 20 inch bicep, but to make the exercises as practical and natural as you can. There really is no practical reason for someone to be able to bench-press 800 or 1000 pounds in a real life situation. On the other hand being able to run fast for a long period of time could save your life. In my opinion natural training doesn’t stop only at running and crawling.
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Natural movement philosophy can be applied anywhere
For example, different martial arts can also be considered as a part of natural training. Why? There are three reasons:
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Self defense skills are practical skills and everyone should know self defense at least at a basic level.
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Conditioning training routines for martial arts are used to improve performance not the looks.
By performing martial arts you will not only improve your self defense skills but also develop endurance, flexibility and strength.
The Parkour and free running also applies the method of natural training. When practicing parkour one uses natural movements to get over obstacles as fast and as efficient as possible. Free running concentrates more on performing acrobatic stunts but in both of these sports the human body works as a whole and there are no monotone movements performed again and again.
Natural training can be also applied to training with bodyweight exercises. I'm not talking about performing 100 push-ups in a row - I don’t see the point of doing that. Ok, it’s not bad, it shows a great level of muscle endurance.
But instead of performing 100 military push-ups I would rather do fewer repetitions but perform many different push-up variations. This way I get a more all-rounded work-out. I “hit” the muscles from different angles and perform different movement patterns. In real life I can’t imagine a situation where I would need to perform monotone pushing movements for a long period of time.
Natural movement in an urban environment
When the majority of people hear about natural movement they immediately think about tree climbing, barefoot running in a forest or log lifting. Of course this approach of natural training is the most “natural” you can get, but the problem is that many people live in big cities far away from natural environments but it shouldn’t stop them from practicing natural training. Not being able to train in a natural environment isn’t a restriction. The aforementioned Parkour and free running can be practiced in both urban and natural environments. You just have to take your pick.
Circular strength training - clubbells
If you spend most of your time in an urban environment then that’s where you should train. There is nothing wrong with training in a gym. Crawling on the floor and lifting free weights (dumbbells, kettle bells and clubbells) is more natural than putting on your high-tech running shoes and heading for a run in the countryside. Of course running outdoors is better than running on a treadmill indoors but a countryside road isn’t much different from a treadmill. More importantly, running with ultra-ergonomic shoes doesn’t let your feet and legs work as they are supposed to. Read more about the natural way of running.
MovNat – the essence of natural movement
There are several training programs that could be put under the philosophy of natural training, but there is one that really stands out. It’s called MovNat – a training method created by a Frenchman Erwan Le Corre. Erwan has been an athlete for all of his life. He has been practicing different sports including Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Olympic weight lifting and Triathlon.
In his early thirties he discovered the natural training method teachings of Georges Hebert (1875 – 1957) – officer in the French navy and later a physical education tutor. Erwan was astonished by the work of Geroges Herbert and also confused about why this training system was forgotten. He knew that the approach of natural training is something that is missing in the modern fitness culture. He decided to improve and update the old training system to suit the time and people’s expectations.
The result is MovNat, a training system based on natural movement patterns, healthy „thinking” and also healthy eating. One of MovNats slogans is „rehabilitate the Zoo human”. In short, the idea is that people should move out of their daily environment, away from the continuous phone calls and stresses. They should experience the joy and benefits of moving naturally and freely.
Is natural movement for you?
This is a question you should answer yourself. I encourage you to give it a try. It’s definitely not for everyone. If you are training to achieve a specific goal like participating in a sports event, you should probably look for a program that meets your requirements and is specially designed for that particular reason.
Natural training will help you to perform everyday tasks and even prepare you for extreme and surprising situations but it’s more than clear that tree climbing won’t improve your football skills.
