TMHS 759 - Use These Tips To Have Functional Fitness For A Lifetime!
Jan 24, 2024
auto_awesome
This podcast explores functional fitness and how it can improve our overall health and longevity. Experts discuss the importance of skeletal muscle, the role of feet in movement patterns, and the negative effects of common footwear. They also cover topics like tech neck, protein for muscle tissue, and the benefits of sitting on the floor. The importance of hip extension and its impact on muscle function is highlighted.
Balanced muscle development is crucial to avoid imbalances and potential injuries.
Foot health is essential for proper posture, balance, and alignment.
Engaging in exercises to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting is important for overall health.
Deep dives
The importance of muscle and its role in glucose disposal and healthy blood sugar levels
Muscle plays a vital role in our body as the driving force behind all movement. It serves as the largest depot for glucose disposal, enabling us to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Additionally, muscle is crucial for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, making it essential for a balanced diet and overall health.
The significance of balanced muscle development and avoiding imbalances
While building muscles is important for a desirable body composition, it's crucial to ensure balanced muscle development. Imbalances, such as overdeveloping certain muscles while neglecting others, can lead to issues and injuries. For example, focusing solely on the quadriceps and neglecting the hamstrings can result in muscle imbalances and the risk of hamstring pulls. Therefore, it is necessary to train the body for equilibrium, balance, and complete functionality.
The importance of foot health and the impact on overall movement and functionality
Foot health plays a critical role in overall movement and functionality. Our feet are the foundation of our body's movement, and strong and healthy feet contribute to proper posture, balance, and alignment. Neglecting foot health, such as wearing tight and cushioned shoes for extended periods, can lead to foot imbalances, pain, and potential injuries. It is recommended to spend more time barefoot and engage in exercises that promote foot strength and mobility.
Addressing neck pain and the effects of prolonged phone and device usage
Tech neck, the forward curve of the upper back and neck resulting from excessive phone and device usage, is a growing concern. Prolonged flexion of the neck can lead to various issues, such as muscle tightness, discomfort, and potential long-term impacts on swallowing, breathing, discs, and nerves. Engaging in exercises like the head ramp, which involves sliding the head back and lifting it toward the ceiling, can help counteract the negative effects of tech neck and promote better neck alignment and mobility.
The importance of movement and mobility
The podcast emphasizes the significance of being able to move freely and comfortably in our daily lives. It discusses how many people are not aware of their limitations until they are confronted with certain physical tasks, such as yoga or learning new skills. The podcast advocates for incorporating movements like sitting on the ground and practicing hip range motion exercises to improve mobility.
The negative impact of prolonged sitting
The podcast explores the effects of prolonged sitting on our bodies. It explains that sitting for extended periods without movement can lead to issues such as reduced blood flow and lymphatic drainage, decreased hip extension, and reduced muscle activation. The podcast encourages frequent movement throughout the day, including standing, walking, and changing positions, to counteract the negative consequences of excessive sitting.
Creating a workout routine can be very personal since it’s often based on your unique goals, preferences, and lifestyle. But functional fitness, training that prepares and supports your body for daily activities, is something we can all implement. Our bodies and our DNA have evolved to expect certain movement patterns, which is why focusing on functional fitness is critical for overall health and longevity.
On this compilation episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to hear from the world’s foremost experts on functional fitness. This episode contains tips and strategies that will deliver results when it comes to building a stronger, more durable, functional body. You’ll hear from some of the brightest minds in the world of fitness, including Katy Bowman, Mark Sisson, and more.
You’re going to learn about the multitude of benefits of having more skeletal muscle on your body, how your movement patterns inform your quality of life, and specific exercises you can practice to improve your foundation of fitness. All bodies can benefit from functional fitness, so I hope this episode brings you a ton of value. Enjoy!
In this episode you’ll discover:
The various roles of skeletal muscle.
Why proprioception is important for your health.
How your feet impact your movement patterns.
A template for a healthy week of exercise.
Why common footwear can hinder the health of our feet.
How muscle imbalances can be caused by weak feet.
Why orthotics can actually cause more problems.
What tech neck is, and how to improve it.
Why movement is a key factor that impacts your quality of life.
What it means to be a chair athlete.
An exercise you can use to gauge your longevity.
Why we should all aim to be more durable.
How marathon sitting affects your lymphatic system.
