Improving Flexibility With a Sunday Morning “Freestyle”
Today I wanna talk about recovery, improving flexibility, and becoming more resilient. I'll also address how much time you should be spending here.
While following a strategic approach to improving flexibility and boosting recovery is important... I also feel there are days when you should move and see where YOUR body wants to go for the day.
One Sunday morning ~2019 I was restless and decided to head into the gym in the wee hours of the morning for a "movement snack". I was in the middle of an 8 week kettlebell press program.
It's the first time I had trained the press, with purpose, in years. I was feeling great, the press was coming along nicely, and I was getting done in less than a couple of hours per week.
I like to lift "heavy" 3 days per week; the other 4 days (roughly 60%) are centered, and focused, around recovery. And NOT adding more endurance, HIIT, sprinting, or whatever.
The result?
Performance was at an all time high.
Endurance is through the roof.
ZERO problems rolling round-after-round, plus staying after and drilling for another 20-30 minutes.
Looking back, I know this is THE ONE THING I've done right and has been the "secret" to my success.
I've been able to train hard (both on and off the mat) for 20+ years... WITHOUT breaking my body and wishing I could move "like I once did" in my 20's.
How was this possible?
By...
... Focusing 60% of my efforts around recovery!
And NOT seeking to test my limits. From what I've seen, if you test your limits, you WILL find them my friend. But at what cost?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy training as hard as the next guy but... I ONLY spend 40% of my efforts here.
Sunday's recovery was different.
Meaning, I didn't stick to a particular strategy in my recovery. I set a timer for 20 minutes and moved where my body wanted to go.
From the looks of it - my body craved sensory rich movements like:
- Front rolling
- Back rolling
- Inverted rolling
- "T-Spine" work to
- Hands free movements
This is what my "free/in-between days" have looked for over two decades, for the most part. 60% of my efforts around RECOVERY.
It's time-efficient.
My body loves it, and...
... it allows me to harmonize everything currently going on in my life.
While still being able to get in my "ME TIME" and make sure I'm where I need to be as a man. So I can be the best man, husband, and father my family is depending on.
We all know - there's NO SUCH THING as "balance".
But you can harmonize, and integrate, the essential elements of your life together in small chunks. It's not about "massive action." It's about small daily-disciplines, which when compounded by time have a greater impact on every area of your life.
You can go "HAM" in your biz/career, train smart, and still have time to do what brings you peace, joy, and happiness.
(For me, it's Jiu-Jitsu)
This type of integration does need strategy - but it's 100% possible.
If you've been struggling to stay, or get, in shape and harmonize everything you've got going on... and would like to learn the strategy I've been using successfully, not only for myself but also with my students from all walks of life, for over a decade;
Drop a comment and let me know how I can help.
Stay STRONG!
hec " the kettlebell coach" g.