Improving adult Fitness levels through improving movement ability is now my primary focus.  Reading through biomechanics  books and stumbled upon the concept of basic human movements.  The premise is that humans go through ascending/descending, lifting/dropping, walk/run, carrying, pushing/pulling, sitting/standing/ and twisting/turning.  This leaves us with 7 categories to pick from on a programming basis.  The days of upper, lower and split routines are done for me.  I have moved away from traditional muscle toning and body building protocols and now do more integrated multi action movements that incorporate coordinated joint communication between multiple joints.


In my opinion we need to drift away from the number one driver of a successful fitness program being an improvement in body composition.  Body composition is one monumental aspect of human fitness but not the only aspect that must be improved upon.  Musculoskeletal range of motion, various levels of strength enhancement including: static(postural strength) and dynamic(moving strength) must be address. Cardiovascular fitness in both aerobic methods and anaerobic method(research supports this as superior for health improvement).  Finally, we must consider improving mentality and emotional fitness as well.  Numerous studies have already made the connection between emotional stress and health concerns. The sympathetic nervous system is activated not only by physical needs but emotional needs as well which are just as catabolic and detrimental if not balanced with relaxation and mental acuity training.  see www.health.harvard.edu/topic/stress