Whatever your reason for exercising, whether for health, body composition, or stress reduction, it is critical to train movements, not muscles. When we train movements, we naturally integrate the parts of the body into one whole unit. On the other hand, when when we think of the body as separate muscles or body segments, we instantaneously place limitations on our abilities. At ATOMIC we don’t do a “leg day” or “chest and back” day. We snicker at the concept of training “abs, bis ‘n tris”. Even the concept of doing “cardio” is a little strange to us – as if while running or swimming you are only working your heart and lungs. In other words, train the correct movement and you will get the results and health benefits you desire.
For example, the bench press primarily works the pectoralis major, anterior deltoids, and triceps. That said, many folks get caught up trying to bench with only those three muscle groups. Sadly, knowing the fancy vocabulary for muscles in your chest, shoulders and arms won’t make the bar move. Additionally, in order to actually execute the movement of the bench press, you will need the grip strength of your hands, stable shoulders, a strong back, an engaged abdomen, and legs that are firmly rooted to the ground through your feet. Watch someone perform a bench press with their whole body engaged and you will not only be witnessing a superior athlete you will undoubtedly see more weight moving.
Workouts at ATOMIC Total Fitness are rooted in movement, athletics, and manual labor. Rather than staring into the mirror doing bicep curls, at ATOMIC, we instead focus on full-body, large range of movement exercises. Jumping, punching, squatting or swinging a kettlebell requires the synergy of proper hip hinging, as well as arm, leg, and core strength to be done properly. Additionally, after just a few reps your heart rate elevates, and with one exercise you are getting your “cardio”, as well as working your legs, glutes, core, back, shoulders etcetera.
If someone asks, “where should I feel this?”, more often than not the answer is, “everywhere.” And if they are just dying to know, “what muscle is this working?” The reply comes back, “All of them.”
