There is something so satisfying about getting up, getting out the door, and getting a good workout. But what exactly does that mean? I used to think that I had to work up a good sweat and reach a certain heart rate in order for it to “count” as a good workout. However, as I’ve learned more about biomechanics, health, and movement, I’ve found a different way of measuring a good workout.
Last week we got our aerial silks installed and spent the week in training. Our trainer was a professional aerialist who came from Dragonfly Aerials. It was a successful training, and we were all sore and ready for a break after four days of training! As part of the certification process, we brought in a few students with various backgrounds and skill levels to see how well we could instruct them. One of the students has a dance background and has been a fitness coach for several years. She has a good balance of strength, flexibility and endurance. After an hour long class, she mentioned that it was such a good workout. I definitely agreed, but it got me thinking about what a good workout is. The aerial silks definitely required strength, but in a very different way than something like lifting weights. It required endurance, but not like running a marathon. It gets the heart rate up, but not like running or doing burpees. It really is physically demanding, but it isn’t full of constant explosive movements like most conventional workouts. It is just… different.
My experience with the aerial silks was very interesting. I’m a guy, and the head parkour coach at Origins Family Fitness. I have a lot of movement experience, including some things that are quite unique, such as mountain unicycling. (Yes, you read that right!) Performing the movements in aerial silk training was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced! Although aerial arts don’t exclude my gender, they require more finesse and flexibility than I’m used to, and they tend to be dominated by females. The combination of subtle strength, finesse, and flexibility was a little out of my comfort zone. Despite that, I loved the experience!
While reflecting on this strange mix of leaving my comfort zone and also enjoying it, I realized that this experience fit right in with my philosophy of learning. I believe that you don’t learn or grow unless you are willing to leave the cozy bubble of your comfort zone. I realized that is what good workout really means. It is movement that gets you out of your comfort zone. Growth happens when you enter new territory, and you start to explore your perceived limits. Ideally, the activity would challenge you not only physically, but also stretch your current mental and emotional limitations. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it, or that it has to be horrible. In fact, the resulting growth is quite freeing, and getting a little outside of your comfort zone really gives you a feeling of accomplishment that is so wonderful! On the other hand, going so far out of your comfort zone that you are in real danger is counterproductive and will likely get you injured. The trick is learning where your boundaries are between uncomfortable, and danger.
The nice thing about it is that it doesn’t matter where you are currently. If going for a brisk walk is a little uncomfortable, then that’s exactly what you need. You don’t need to run a marathon to be getting a good workout. You set your own standard, rather than trying to hit someone else’s.
At Origins Family Fitness, it doesn’t matter where you’re at, we’ll help you ease out of your comfort zone so you can really learn, grow, and get a good workout. We’ll never push you so far out that you feel in danger. Contact us, and we’ll help you find a good workout that works for you!
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