There are a myriad of reasons to try the newest fitness trend, the Animal Flow workout. However, I will list the top 5 reasons to do the animal flow workout below. You can then decide for yourself if you agree…. but, you have to try it first! 😉
It’s definitely one of the most fun of the new workouts from the past few years I’ve seen. I became an Animal Flow instructor when it was first offered by the creator Mike Fitch, a few years ago in South Florida. I was looking for something different (due to a breakup I was going through.) I was sad and wanted something new. I heard about a guy who had this great new class that was very different than other workouts. It was an all bodyweight workout.
On a side note, body in motion is truly my middle name because, when I heard about this new workout I got really excited to try it! I love to exercise and love learning new modalities of it and was anxious to try it this Animal Flow workout.
I have to say that it definitely lived up to my expectations! It was a lot of fun but also challenging in a good way. I didn’t feel like I was run over by a truck at the end of it. Instead I felt alive and energized. I found it to be creative, challenging, and interesting. The different exercises and ‘flows’ mimic various animal movements such as ape, crab, or beast. They can be done individually or in a flow. Lately, I also use some of the movements in a circuit format with lifting weights.
The Animal Flow workout can be done in a class format or by yourself. It can be used for a dynamic warm up, active recovery, integrated into your existing program, circuits, skills building or interval training. Although I took my instructors certification a few years ago I am revisiting, relearning and progressing to take Level 2 workshop at the end of February. I’m excited and am also including one of my first practice video’s below, more to come! For now though take a look at my personal top 5 reasons to try Animal Flow.
Why try Animal Flow1. Flexibility – most people think of stretching to increases their flexibility but with Animal flow you’re also increasing strength at the same time rather than simply sitting still doing a static hamstring stretch. Flexibility in some joints can be increased through exercise, remember the more you do something the more your body will have the need to become more flexible.
2. Stability – core stability is so important to any movement pattern and in Animal Flow workout it is definitely being utilized. Most people think of the core as simply being the abdominal muscles but in actuality it not only consists of the abdominal musculature but add to that the hip abductors/adductors, hip flexors, pelvic floor, and lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is very important to strength and stability for posture in exercise and sports.
3. Endurance – It’s really important to train the aerobic system during the endurance phase of training and this can be done in a myriad of ways but with Animal Flow you can simply speed up the movements to achieve better endurance for various sports or overall fitness.
4. Fun – It’s fun! Working out can be hard and challenging but if you’re doing something that is also fun then it feels just a bit easier in some ways and exciting in others without feeling like you got hit by a truck at the end of it.
5. Strength – you build a lot of strength by lifting your own body weight and taking it through these various animal flow movements but also from the resistance of pushing your own body weight off the ground.
So, there you have it my top 5 reasons to try animal flow and now it’s time for you to try it! 🙂 Below take a look at a practice flow that I recorded, not the best but it’s a start and you can try it in the comfort of your own living room too. Enjoy!!