Animal Instinct

Not so long ago, the pinnacle of fitness was considered to be standing shirtless centre stage with muscles bulging.  Doing your best to pop an eyeball while showing just how many hours you’d dedicated to diet and pumping iron.  Many people thought it was the way to be ‘healthy’, but we’re now seeing the results of what lifting too often without key factors of mobility and flexibility will do to your body.   It’s great to have a good-looking body, but if it can’t move in the way it was intended, what’s the point?    

It’s this thinking that drew a guy named Mike Fitch to forge a new system of body weight and resistance training called ANIMAL FLOW.  Combining elements of gymnastics, breakdancing, martial arts, calisthenics, parkour and yoga, this dynamic system provides a whole body approach to training, utilising ground-based movements, gravity and body weight to increase mobility, stability, power, endurance, skill and neuromuscular communication. 

It requires no equipment, can be performed anywhere, and had immediate appeal to myself and Fi.   For years we had combined body weight training, kettle bells, and conventional resistance training together with a sprinkle of yoga into our own schedules, enjoying the mix.  It was only natural that we fell in love with Animal Flow.    

We’ve had the pleasure of watching it help many of our clients in the gym, and we love spreading the word on the many benefits this style of training has.  It works hand in hand with other forms of training to form a complete package.   High intensity weight-lifting programs can benefit from Animal Flow movement to help increase flexibility, mobility and stability, while experienced yogis will benefit from more focused strength, power and speed. 

 Sure, it’ll probably feel awkward the first time you ask your body to move in these new shapes and patterns.  But I can guarantee you’ll benefit from it. 

— Matt