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High Level Fitness, by Greg K.
There are plenty of times through my day I thank God for allowing me to have a physically capable body. Appreciation for working out, building strength and mobility to the point I don’t have to think about the movements my body goes through. For example, carrying a laundry basket up and down stairs is something everyone should be able to do without a concern they will injure themselves.
Will I be able to perform the tasks I need to in order to survive? How long will it take me to cover the 12 miles, on foot, that are between my family and me? Food, water and another location to move to incase of emergency are only good if you don’t injure yourself loading the car. Time to look at another aspect of preparedness.
We all may end up being an athlete or participant at some point in a match of Survival of the Fittest. The definition of “fittest” is up for debate. Some will argue they are more fit because they have more guns. Some will argue they are more fit because they have more water. How about the person who has prepared with the greatest balance? I’m referring to the perfect balance of preparation of mind, body and supplies. This leads us to the preparation of your most important tool: your body.
If an athlete is serious about their sport, they will properly train for their sport. This means they may need to build speed and strength but also mobility and stability. Caring just as much about working out as they do allowing their bodies to repair and build. Once again, balance.
Over-complicating anything often decreases results. I’m going to try and highlight just a few crucial aspects of health and fitness:
Stretching is about proper circulation more than it is about doing the splits.
A strong core will increase your chances.
This one may be obvious to some, but oxygen is very important.
Pull as often as you push.
Strength through breathing.
The sum of all these parts will lead to less discomfort.
There is a high percentage of our population that can’t touch their toes. Don’t be ashamed if you are one of them. Stretching to me isn’t about being able to touch your toes or do the splits. It is about allowing blood and nutrients to flow freely throughout your body. When your joints are able to move through a healthy range of motion, circulation is not being impeded as greatly, or at all. When muscles are tight and start to compress a blood vessel or impinge a nerve, you will experience decreased function. Proper flexibility or mobility will also decrease chances of joint dysfunction. Don’t make things harder on your body then they need to be.
Core strengthening is not doing abdominal crunches. There are over 20 muscles that comprise your “core.” The easiest thing to do to strengthen your core is to draw your belly button to your spine. This engages your Transverse Abdominis (TVA), the innermost unit of your core.
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