Why you should do primal workouts

If you haven’t heard of primal workouts by now, where have you been? The concept gained awareness a few years ago when hard-hitting gym-goers found that while their muscle groups were strong, their joints and movements were weak and unstable. Primal workouts were the perfect answer to the problem, as the core movements (push, pull, bend, twist, squat and lunge) would push every part of your body to its limit. ’Based around animal movement patterns, primal workouts build total body strength, core stability and endurance.’ says SIX3NINE trainer, Dominic Lee.

So how does it work and what will you gain from it? Here’s why you should do primal workouts…

‘Primal exercises can be used as a warm-up or as a standalone exercise and they’re typically executed on the floor from a quadrupedal position’, says Dominic. Why? Being on all fours means that your limbs and joints are constantly worked and more importantly – they must work together in co-ordination.

If it sounds tough, that’s because it is. But the class is as fun as it is challenging, which is why it has remained popular. Fancy unleashing the animal inside of you? Here’s why you should do primal workouts…

1. Boost your strength

That goes for your core, muscle groups and joints. Exercising all of these components will strengthen your movements, making them more stabilised but also flexible. ‘Without the need for expensive equipment, primal movements apply your bodyweight as resistance in different planes of motion and through various joint actions’, says Dominic.

2. Up your endurance

Getting lean and building muscle is just the beginning. Crawling, pouncing and keeping your body and mind constantly in motion for even just half an hour is a serious cardio session that will up your endurance.

3. Improve your posture and flexibility

If you’re a keen yogi, you might enjoy the static and dynamic stretches in a primal workout. Moves include the Scorpion Reach, Crab Reach and Ape Reach. Engage that core!

4. Mental stimulation

We’re not going to pretend the first class won’t be difficult. No doubt you’ll be sweating but it’ll be less to do with the exertion from the movements and more to do with focusing on what you should be moving where. ‘Many of the movements will challenge your coordination’, says Dominic. But you shouldn’t let this put you off. After all, a workout isn’t intense if you can stop and ponder about what you’ll be having for dinner.

5. Do something different

Seeing a change to your body requires challenging it in different ways and a primal workout is the perfect solution to the sedentary lifestyle that our body is accustomed to. Put your body to the test and it’ll thank you for it later.