Whether it’s looking out across the Indian Ocean in Kenya or across the fertile fields in Andalucia our vision, creativity and sense of possibility for movement seems endless in these natural gyms. So what happens when we get back to the urban sprawls that we call home and busy, time restricted days that are the norm?
First find yourself a space with a variety of potential movement opportunities. You can do a lot with simple open space but throw in steps, trees, little hills, walls, benches etc and now we’re talking. Now you have a good spot I think simply putting yourself into a movement frame of mind is the first step. By this I mean looking at your environment for inspiration. How good does that tree look for brachiating and climbing, that log could be great for lifting and throwing, awesome stairs/hill for sprinting up or even crawling and how about that wall for jumping on, balancing and vaulting….cool I just created a great combo now let’s do it!
Here is a simple combo that I find ticks all boxes, is done in under 15min, is very easy to “set up”, really wakes you up and leaves you feeling like superman/woman;
Paul’s Park Sweat Combo
- 6 Surfer’s get ups (from lying down on your front to feet in one movement)
- 6 pull ups/inverted rows
- 6 short sprints (no more than 10 seconds) starting each one lying flat on your back, imagine you have just been woken by a lions roar!!!
- 12 jump and stick (jump from both feet land on one foot to challenge balance, once you feel in control do the same landing on the opposite leg)
- 6 Lift, throw and crawl using a rock, log, medicine ball, sand bag etc. Throw the object as far as you can. Now chase it down in a crawl then repeat
Repeat this x 2-3
Remember as humans we are movement generalist opposed to specialists so mix it up to inspire your body and mind. Try and incorporate as many of our species specific natural movements into your life as possible.
Try and dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to maintaining some wildness in your life. This could and should range from:
-interval format high intense movement
- lifting heavy objects (logs, rocks, kettle-bells, dumbbells)
-combos incorporating a variety of natural movements
-relaxing in nature/outdoors
-play time and laughter
If you are based in London or visiting then sign up for some Wildfitness London sessions.
I am available for one to one personal training sessions, small group personal training and I will be running weekly tribe sessions in:
- Hampstead Heath at 10am Saturday mornings from the 4th August
- Highgate woods at 6:30 Monday evenings at from 6th August.
To book or for more information then please do not hesitate in contacting me on 07947277229, paulosranson@hotmail.com or enquiries@wildfitness.com
Hope to see you in London’s sunny parks soon.
Paul
