Move With Purpose or Just Keep Moving?

Years ago, I had a group fitness client who frequently repeated what she didn't realize was her own mantra or a piece of good advice: "Just keep moving, right Kim? That's what it's all about, right Kim?" She wasn't wrong. My internal response was always the same: yes, keep moving, but do it with purpose and proper form. Move through the range of motion; don't just flail your arms around. Think about the movement. Move with intention, focusing on proper form and technique.

Consistently engaging in workouts with a 'just keep moving' mindset will eventually lead to an inability to move without experiencing aches and pains. You'll suffer from muscular imbalances and misalignment, causing joint discomfort. You'll begin to attribute these issues to aging and end up visiting the doctor more frequently than you attend your workouts.

If you've ever been a personal training client of mine or participated in my classes, you'll know that I emphasize proper form during sessions. In group fitness, it's easy to simply go through the motions or concentrate on working harder rather than smarter. There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself, however, when you base your workouts on proper form and technique, you'll develop a body that endures and enjoys those challenging workouts for the long term, without the nagging aches and pains caused by our own lack of knowledge.

We can never predict what the future holds. A workout that prioritizes working smarter will enable you to work harder, enjoying life much longer. Younger, Longer, Stronger.

When unforeseen setbacks occur, the hours spent on workouts and practicing disciplined form will greatly benefit you. Depending on the nature of the setback, those learned disciplines will guide you back on track, allowing you to reap the rewards of your discipline.

Master Proper Form and Technique

Take the time to learn correct form which is crucial in avoiding setbacks caused by our own lack of knowledge. Let's get started with these.

• Move through range of motion Avoid sloppy movements, disciplined movement will take you through full range of motion and focus on the intended

  muscle, the muscle you are intending to train.

• You may use mirrors to check your form, however, check your posture. Are you straining your neck to see what you're doing. Stand in such a way that you can fully see your body looking straight on rather than to the side. Your body is in neutral alignment and your chin and gaze level. Your shoulders are relaxed not hunched. Your base of support is wide enough to balance your own body size and load you may be lifting at the moment. Keep your feet side to side and in alignment with one another, not front to back or leaning to one side or the other. This tip is important to remember as you exercise with online video content or other media. Avoid straining the neck or torso as you move to see the instructor.

• Learn proper form while you are lifting using a moderate weight load, and continue that form as you add weight.

• Avoid using momentum as opposed to fully utilizing the muscle. As you begin to lift heavier, you may also loose that good form and proper technique trying to man handle the heavier weight. Check yourself. Are you honestly able to lift the weight without losing proper form? For example the bicep curl. When the weight increases the temptation is to lean forward and use the entire upper body to lift rather than utilizing the upper body muscles as stabilizers only, giving your biceps the challenge of the weight load.

  

  Navel In and Up!

These are only a few tips that will allow you to work smarter, and build a body that will serve you well without adding pain and limitation. That's what you want, right? Then take these tips seriously and be aware as you continue your fitness journey.

Move with purpose so you may continue to keep moving! Stay younger, stronger, longer.

Kimberly Camp-Hall CPT

Personal Fitness Trainer,

Pain Free Movement and Orthopedic Exercise Specialist

ACE Certified Fitness Trainer

ACE Certified Senior Fitness Trainer

Mat Pilates Certified.

Gentle Flow Pilates...for Pain Free Mobility