Push to new limits by changing your Mechanism of Movement
Push to new limits by changing your Mechanism of Movement
Mechanism of Movement. Its a term I like to use as it pertains to exercise. What does it mean? Well, to simplify it, look at it this way: If your a cyclist (or a spinner), your legs are used to that specific range of motion and spinning movement. Same goes if you are a runner, doing pushups, squats or lunges.
Our bodies are incredible machines, and they adjust very quickly to our Mechanism’s of Movement. So, if we really want to excel at what we are doing, its essential to get out of our box of comfort, and train in a DIFFERENT mechanism. I’m not talking about changing the tempo by adding more resistance or varying in speed. I’m talking about creating something to challenge the muscles from slightly (or drastically) different angles. Something that if you do often, will cause you to explode with new growth, and continue to get better.
I’m someone that does a LOT of ab work (I’ve knocked out 2000 crunches in a row), and a lot of pushups (close to 150 in one set), so I’m pretty good at them. But, when you break away from the traditional planes of the movement, and alter the mechanism – EVERYTHING changes. For example, I was visiting a dojo today (since I’m still away from home) for some MMA conditioning drills. One of the exercises we did were called “Oh No’s!” (aptly named I’ll add). You start at one end of the room, beside a wall, laying face up with your body stretched out, arms overhead (in kind of a banana position), from there, you contract your arms and legs toward each other (into a crunch), straighten back out, and then roll a complete revolution, moving you toward the opposing wall. You contine to repeat this movement until you reach the opposing wall (which, in this section of the dojo was about 40 feet). Once you reach the wall, you stand up and sprint back to the beginning wall, drop into a plank position, and then “hop” laterally in a plank position, repeatedly to the opposing wall (another 40 feet). Once you reach the wall, you sprint back, and then repeat the “Oh No’s”. For this drill, we repeated the movements for 2 full minutes – but you could just as easily designated a set number of repetitions instead.
Because the mechanism of movement was new to me, it REALLY crushed my abs and my chest, shoulders and triceps. Just like MAGIC! That’s the kind of stuff we all need to do to keep our progress moving forward. Always workout with intensity, but also look for new ways to modify your Mechanism of Movement.
Back home I have a few friends that are marathon runner. These guys can literally run for more than 3 hours, so they most certaily are in shape. But the first time I ran a couple of them through a Plyometric workout (all different jumping movments, with varied short recovery in between them) it made them puke. The mechanism of movement was foreign to them, and it completely shocked their bodies to be hit with different movements, different intensity, and different angles – it was like starting out at squre one for a new athlete.
The bottom line: Apply your imagination to your workout, think outside the box, and your physical abilities will explode and grow beyond your belief! Give it a try during your next workout – you won’t be disappointed!
All the best in life and health,
~Mark
Apr 15, 2009 @ 23:56:49
I loved this post. Reminded me of when I started doing the stadium steps as part of my running routine….i could see and feel the difference in my abs, hips and legs immediately….
Great stuff Brother….
May 20, 2009 @ 00:32:39
This is just super information! This post has inspired me to be creative and work my body in different ways! Thank you Mark! You definitely are an inspiration to me!!