Movement is such a fascinating thing.
The reason I aptly titled this "Jack of all exercises, master of all?" Is because of the synergistic nature that movement has on other, transferable movements and physical skills.
Every kind of movement compliments other movements, brings fresh dynamics to those other exercises and can create a unique experience of mastery to physical skills and activities.
I speak from my experience of practicing 6 styles of martial arts.
You'd be amazed at just how many styles of movements overlaps.
If you took a close look at every kind of sport there is out there and the type of moves, you would find that those physical techniques repeat themselves In other forms.
What does B boying, capoeira, Kosac and parkour (free running) have in common? These are great examples of transferable physical skills ad techniques.
They all have squatted positions, they each involve the execution of skills on both, the legs and the arms and they all involve a lot of core strength and core stability.
Ball sports is another example of skill sets that are transferable.
The foot work necessary in soccer can benefit a hockey player.
The throws in baseball are not that different to the passes in gridiron and Rugby.
And if you've ever watched 'Happy Gilmore', there's a clear illustration of how a hockey swing can be turned into a golf swing.
Also, it's a known fact that simple strength training and conditioning improves a golfer's game dramatically.
Fighting and dancing is not that example of physical skills that compliment each other.
Many fighters have been known to have some skill when dancing.
Bruce Lee had some grace on the dance floor and Mohamed Ali didn't only dance like a butterfly in the ring.
Many dance styles, if you watch closely at the techniques used will be similar to that of the skills executed in many forms of martial arts.
A lot of the kicks and leg extensions that dancers perform are totally transferable in a lot of kicking martial arts, and a lot of a dancer's upper body posturing are very useful principles that apply in many martial arts.
I could go on forever about the examples of movement overlaps, but the point is, don't think for a second that by practicing multiple sports or styles, you are scattering your skill set when it comes to exercise.
The more variety of movement you can bring to your exercise routines, the more skills you can develop.
In fact, if anything, by limiting your training to just one style of movement, you limit yourself to a narrow set of motor functions.
On the other hand, by practicing multiple physical activities, you enrich the repertoire of your motor skills, you complement all of your physical skills, even the ones that are not being practiced in that moment and amazingly you discover economy of movement with your body in your everyday life.
You learn how to move better and better and by doing so, you save more energy and perform better.
I strongly recommend that whatever physical activity you currently practice, to question what else you could do that will enhance it.
You'll be amazed and you won't regret it.
Inspired by fitness, Clinton Boucheix certified Personal Trainer
The reason I aptly titled this "Jack of all exercises, master of all?" Is because of the synergistic nature that movement has on other, transferable movements and physical skills.
Every kind of movement compliments other movements, brings fresh dynamics to those other exercises and can create a unique experience of mastery to physical skills and activities.
I speak from my experience of practicing 6 styles of martial arts.
You'd be amazed at just how many styles of movements overlaps.
If you took a close look at every kind of sport there is out there and the type of moves, you would find that those physical techniques repeat themselves In other forms.
What does B boying, capoeira, Kosac and parkour (free running) have in common? These are great examples of transferable physical skills ad techniques.
They all have squatted positions, they each involve the execution of skills on both, the legs and the arms and they all involve a lot of core strength and core stability.
Ball sports is another example of skill sets that are transferable.
The foot work necessary in soccer can benefit a hockey player.
The throws in baseball are not that different to the passes in gridiron and Rugby.
And if you've ever watched 'Happy Gilmore', there's a clear illustration of how a hockey swing can be turned into a golf swing.
Also, it's a known fact that simple strength training and conditioning improves a golfer's game dramatically.
Fighting and dancing is not that example of physical skills that compliment each other.
Many fighters have been known to have some skill when dancing.
Bruce Lee had some grace on the dance floor and Mohamed Ali didn't only dance like a butterfly in the ring.
Many dance styles, if you watch closely at the techniques used will be similar to that of the skills executed in many forms of martial arts.
A lot of the kicks and leg extensions that dancers perform are totally transferable in a lot of kicking martial arts, and a lot of a dancer's upper body posturing are very useful principles that apply in many martial arts.
I could go on forever about the examples of movement overlaps, but the point is, don't think for a second that by practicing multiple sports or styles, you are scattering your skill set when it comes to exercise.
The more variety of movement you can bring to your exercise routines, the more skills you can develop.
In fact, if anything, by limiting your training to just one style of movement, you limit yourself to a narrow set of motor functions.
On the other hand, by practicing multiple physical activities, you enrich the repertoire of your motor skills, you complement all of your physical skills, even the ones that are not being practiced in that moment and amazingly you discover economy of movement with your body in your everyday life.
You learn how to move better and better and by doing so, you save more energy and perform better.
I strongly recommend that whatever physical activity you currently practice, to question what else you could do that will enhance it.
You'll be amazed and you won't regret it.
Inspired by fitness, Clinton Boucheix certified Personal Trainer