Animal Flow: The Benefits of Quadrupedal Movement Presented by: Mike Fitch, Creator of Animal Flow & President of Global Bodyweight Training AFPA October 2014
Why “Animal Flow?” Animal: Experience movement as the HUMAN ANIMAL Flow: Integrated, fluid, multi-planar transfer of energy
Functional Training So, what exactly is this “Functional Training?”
Functional Training Mike’s Definition: training a client to reach specific goals or address specific issues, such injuries or postural distortions , while improving their ability to perform at their work, sport, hobby or day to day life
Reconnecting Our Bodies to the Ground
Our Teacher: The Ground
Ground Reaction Force Be aware and conscious of our GRF Minimize impact Dissipate forces through the kinetic chain
The Single Plane Human
The Neuromuscular Superhighway Connection to the ground Kinetic chains Slings
Multi-Planar Movement
Benefits of Animal Flow STRENGTH POWER ENDURANCE COORDINATION STABILITY FLEXIBILITY SPEED AGILITY
Benefits of Animal Flow Improved movement = Improved function Increasing intermuscular coordination and neuromuscular efficiency Improving mobility, flexibility and stability through multiple planes of motion Utilizing maximum oxygen consumption and caloric expenditure Increased cardiovascular response
Program Integration Dynamic Warm-Up Interval Training / HIIT Circuit and Strength Training Stand Alone or Integrated Assessment Correction
Animal Flow Components Wrist Mobilizations Form Specific Stretches Activations Traveling Forms Switches & Transitions Flows
Wrist Mobilizations Increase extensibility / flexibility at the wrists Movement Preparation Body Scan / Connection
Sample Wrist Mobs
Form Specific Stretches Full end points of Range of Motion (ROM) (flexion followed by extension; internal rotation followed by external rotation) May be used as statics, active dynamics, or conditioning (multiple reps) Quick check - movement assessment
The Crab Reach
Activations Preparing the body, reconnecting systems: Static Beast Static Crab Progressively increase the challenge by systematically decreasing the base of support: Limb lift
Beast Activations
Traveling Forms “The ABCs of Animal Movements” Crawling into dynamic stabilization
Forward Traveling Beast
Switches and Transitions Movement Windows Conditioning Integration into strength programs
Underswitch
Flows Seamless transfer of energy “Call-Outs” versus “Flows” Vary forms, temp, duration
Learn more about Animal Flow: www.GlobalBodyweightTraining.com Email: mike@GlobalBodyweightTraining.com Interested in trying out Animal Flow? Use code AFPAFLOW to save $15 off the video at: www.GlobalBodyweightTraining.com/animalflow-coupon/