Structural Fitness

What is it?

Everyone knows you need to exercise to be healthy. Most folks immediately think sweaty, time consuming, and strenuous cardiovascular exercise is the answer to well being.

While cardiovascular exercise is important (read my past blogs on this subject for more info) it is not the only piece of the fitness puzzle.

Structural Fitness is functional fitness with medical considerations. The main things I look at when I first start working with someone are: medical history, posture, functional ability, range of movement through all joints, static and dynamic strength, and connective tissue health.

Seem like a lot? That is because it is. All of the pieces of our bodies are attached. You can't move one part without affecting the rest of them. Body builders have made isolating muscle exercises mainstream for years at the expense of some really important bio-mechanical realities.

Sign that you are not structurally healthy:

1. Chronic pain

2. Frequent headaches

3. Osteopenia/osteoporosis

4. Poor posture

5. Difficulty sleeping

6. Muscle cramps

7. Limited range of movement in shoulders, hips, and back

8. Weakness and inability to carry out routine daily tasks

9. Poor concentration

10. Inability to manage stress

Your biggest red flag is if you need medication to assist you with any or all of these. Putting that band aid on the problem prolongs it and makes it worse in the long run.

Getting structurally fit involves:

1. Stretching and lengthening tight muscles and connective tissue (fascia and tendons)
2. Strengthening weak and underdeveloped muscles
3. Releasing bound up fascia
4. Maintaining or building healthy bone density
5. Correcting postural deviations through body awareness and proper mechanics

There are a multitude of exercises and techniques to accomplish the above considerations. Be sure to consult a professional who is well versed on them. They should have several years of experience and credentials in corrective exercise.

Good health is about quality of life. Getting through the day feeling great and getting things done should be top priority. Structural fitness is a key component to this end.