We can’t imagine our Paleolithic ancestors sinking into a couch, absorbed in a digital screen, because they didn’t have digital screens, and life was definitely different back then. One of the fitness trends that has been increasing in popularity lately is primal movement, which requires ditching the gym machines and getting in touch with your inner primal being, or, shall we say, your caveman or ancestral hunter-gatherer side.
Personally, I enjoy exercises that use your own bodyweight and don’t require expensive machines or memberships. I also enjoy reconnecting with nature and embracing what feels good and natural for our bodies, so I’m certainly interested in the primal movement trend.
What is primal movement?
Primal movement involves natural movements that have been fundamental for humans throughout our history. Many fitness specialists believe that these movements are crucial for maintaining physical
Primal exercises are those that our ancestors used on a daily basis, such as twisting, jumping, bending, and lunging. Our bodies were designed to do these types of movements for survival and to hunt, gather, and perform important tasks. Agility and flexibility helped our species survive, from squatting down to pluck fresh herbs from the ground to pushing our bodies to get up and twisting to run away.
Today, we have furniture, cars, and other modern accessories, amenities, and conveniences, so we don’t have to stand up from the floor or travel distances on foot as often as we did in the past. As the old saying goes, if you don’t use it, you can lose it, and these physical and functional abilities can decline over the years.
Examples of primal movements
Here are some examples:
- Walking and running
- Bending
- Squatting
- Pulling (pull-ups and pulling movements)
- Pushing (push-ups)
- Lunging
- Twisting your torso (rotating)
- Jumping
- Sitting up (sit-ups)
- Crawling
Many primal fitness enthusiasts also encourage climbing, swimming, jogging, hill training, sprinting, spinal rolls, lizard crawls, and crab walks.
What are the benefits of primal movement workouts?
Here are some of the many benefits of going primal:
- No need for equipment or a gym membership.
- More affordable and convenient.
- Work out in nature and the great outdoors.
- Work multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
- Incorporate these moves into bodyweight workouts, calisthenics, CrossFit, and more.
- Boost your strength and mobility.
- Boost your flexibility and functional fitness.
- Enhance balance and coordination.
- Lower your risk of injuries.
- Boost your cardiovascular health.
- Develop the stability of your core.
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
- Increase your ability to perform your everyday activities.
Primal movements are compound movements that engage more than one muscle group simultaneously. This reminds me of quadrobics — another fitness trend involving a type of full-body workout where people mimic the movements and gaits of animals on four limbs. Whatever you choose, it’s time to unleash your inner beast.
