No time to go to the gym? Here’s why Animal Flow is the best workout for you (Image credit: iStock)
Due to busy schedules and tight deadlines we miss our gym sessions from time to time. This has led to reduction in physical activities due to which our weight and excess belly fat have started increasing. But don’t worry now! Animal Flow Training is going viral on social media platforms. This is a new form of training that is gaining popularity among busy professionals and requires no equipment. you can do this work out Even while staying at home. But what benefit will this give to our health?
We contacted Sridhar R, Health Cult’s experts share that the training involves following the animals’ movements to build strength, efficiency and flexibility, while combining elements of gymnastics, yoga and fundamental movements. Animal Flow Training is an ideal workout solution for people with busy schedules for the following reasons:
no equipment required
Many people are not able to exercise at home due to lack of equipment. This problem does not exist with Animal Flow training, because it can be done anywhere, whether in the office, a hotel room or at home. There is also no setup time involved. Workout routines also require minimal space. This accessibility makes it easy to stay in line with one’s fitness goals.
time-efficient
One of the most important features of Animal Flow is that it is time-efficient training. Even in just 20 minutes, through Animal Flow training, one can receive a complete effective workout training targeted at strength and fitness. Busy professionals usually have limited time for workouts, and Animal Flow’s compact sessions can fit perfectly into their lifestyle.
mental health benefits
Animal Flow Training is not just a physical workout, but it also provides various mental benefits. This exercise requires more mental presence, therefore improving your concentration abilities for work tasks. Animal-like movements also create a dynamic meditation effect that reduces stress. With regular exercise, one can also improve mental flexibility and help deal with the effects of sitting for long periods of time.
physical health benefits
Unlike traditional weightlifting, animal flow training involves multiple muscle groups at once. Practice Which often isolates individual muscles. The activities naturally increase one’s flexibility and engage the core to develop strong midline control. Improving core strength is essential for working professionals as it has many benefits, such as proper posture and reduced risk of injury. This type of training develops functional strength, which is important for completing everyday activities.
How to do animal flow training?
Sridhar R explains that no prior experience is required to start this training and it is simple. Various platforms provide tutorials that one can watch for reference. For beginners, it is best to start with basic movements such as animal, crab or monkey positions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Animal Flow Training
Animal Flow is a bodyweight-based workout designed to improve strength, flexibility, mobility and coordination by mimicking the movements of animals. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started with the basics of Animal Flow:
Warm-up (5-10 minutes)
– Start with a warm-up to activate your muscles and increase mobility. Focus especially on dynamic stretches for the shoulders, wrists, hips and core.
– Example warm-up moves: shoulder circles, wrist rotations, hip circles and deep lunges.
1. Basic Animal Flow Movement
Animal Flow involves a variety of foundational moves called “form-specific stretches” that you combine into a flow. Here’s how to do some basic activities:
A. animal condition
– Starting position: Start in a quadruped position, hands directly beneath your shoulders and knees beneath your hips.
– Raise your knees: Raise your knees slightly off the ground, keeping them about an inch above the floor. Your body should be stable with a firm, flat back and engaged core.
– Hold: Hold this position while focusing on core engagement and stability.
B. crab position
– Starting position: Sit on the ground with hands at the back and feet at the front, hip-width apart.
– Lift hips: Lift your hips off the ground so you’re balancing on your hands and feet. Keep shoulders stable and core engaged.
-Hold: Hold this position, making sure your chest is open and your core is strong.
2. Transition Movement
A. crab reach
– From crab position, extend one arm overhead and lift your hips high, arching your back slightly. Press through the seated hand and opposite leg to reach up and back, feeling the stretch along your torso.
– Return to original position and repeat on the other side.
B. traveling animal
– From Beast position, step forward with opposite arms and legs (right arm, left leg together, then left arm, right leg).
– Keep your back level and core stable throughout the movement.
C. advanced movement
Once you’re comfortable with the basic positions, try adding more dynamic, flowing movements:
3. Side Kickthrough
– Start from the animal’s position. Lift one arm and the other leg off the floor.
– Rotate your torso by extending your leg to the side as you kick. Your hands and feet on the ground should support you.
– Return to animal position and repeat on the opposite side.
4. Scorpion Access
– Start in animal position. Lift one leg with the knee bent and rotate your hip outward, bringing your foot to the opposite side of your body.
-This movement opens up your hips and engages your core. Return to animal position.
5. Create a flow
Once you are comfortable with these positions and transitions, start combining them in the following order:
– Example flow: Beast > Traveling Beast > Crab Reach > Side Kickthrough > Scorpion Reach.
– Practice transitioning smoothly between moves while focusing on control and core engagement.
6. Cool down and stretch
End your workout with a cool-down session to relax muscles and improve flexibility:
– Use stretches like Child’s Pose, Downward Dog and Cat-Cow to stretch and release any tension.
Beginner’s Guide to Animal Flow Training
As one becomes proficient, one can increase the level of challenge by combining movements into flowing sequences. Sridhar R shares that a typical beginner’s guide to animal flow training would include:
• 5-7 minutes basic position training
• 10-12 minute simple changes
• 5-7 minute flowing combination
“Busy professionals can incorporate this workout either in the morning, during a break, or when they need to relieve stress. To track progress in this type of training, you can monitor the quality of your movements, body flow and control. You’ll know you’re doing the training correctly if your posture improves and back pain subsides. Various professionals have consistently reported seeing positive changes in flexibility and agility within a few weeks of consistent practice,” he said.
Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from fitness, health and more from around the world.