3 Ways to Get Started with Animal Workouts
Bodyweight exercises that mimic animal movements have been used by MMA fighter, Parkour athletes, and a wide range of other combat and general sport athletes to improve their strength and conditioning levels.
So why are animal movements still an untapped method of training for the rest of us?
Over the years, we’ve seen a gradual shift of training methods. Things that the MMA athlete do, the average fitness enthusiast has begun to do. For example, Kettlebells started off asprimarily an athletic method of training. But now, more and more average gym goers and home fitness enthusiasts are starting to take Kettlebell classes and hire Kettlebell instructors to supplement or evenreplace their regular free weights training.
So, why has the bodyweight training enthusiast not incorporated more animal-type bodyweight movements into his or her fitness regimen?
Could it be that the movements are just too “strange” looking? Well, crawling around on all fours is funny looking, but you’re training in the comfort of your own home. So who cares? After all, isn’t theprimary objective of your bodyweight workout to improve your health and fitness?
When you search for animal workouts on the Internet, you’re going to hear a lot of arguments for training like an animal. Namely, how animals are far superior to humans in terms speed, size and strength. Well, naturally that has to do with the fact they’re a different species.
Don’t fall for the hype. There’s only one reason why should incorporate Animal Movements into your workouts: because they’re hard, and they work.
If you’re ready to explore your options and get started with some unique animal-inspired exercises, then I have three options for you:
1- Ease In Gradually
If you’re already following a solid bodyweight program, then you’re half way there. You can ease into animal workouts by simply adding one animal exercise per week to your current bodyweight program. For example, if your routine consists ofpushups, pullups, and squats, then you can substitute the squat for bear crawls or duck walks.
Most animal exercises are leg dominant, which means you probably won’t need any more additional lower body training after a handful of animal exercises. In fact, most people seem to stick to squats, lunges, and squat jumps. Instead of sticking to the same movements over and over again, use animal exercises to spice up your lower body training.
2- Go All Out
If you’ve been training for quite some time, then you can easily convert your entire bodyweight program into an animal routine. But be warned, the animal training can be very brutal. The exercises may seem easy, but they’re extremely tough, especially for your lower body and shoulders.
3- Get a Guide
Whether you choose to ease into it, or go all out, you should get yourself a good guide. A guide can be the difference between a poorly constructed workout and an effective training regimen. The only guide that I recommend specifically for animal workouts are the Animal Kingdom Workouts.
The Animal Kingdom Workouts are a package of three effective training programs: Animal Workouts, Natural Fitness, and Lose Weight Without Dieting. These are a no-nonsense approach to bodyweight training guaranteed to improve your health and fitness through animal exercises.
