I'm Darryl Edwards (aka The Fitness Explorer), founder of Primal Play, this website is no longer being updated - please check out www.primalplay.com for current details on my work, passion and lifestyle approach.

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Reading List
  • Animal Moves: How to move like an animal to get you leaner, fitter, stronger and healthier for life
    Animal Moves: How to move like an animal to get you leaner, fitter, stronger and healthier for life
    by Darryl Edwards

    Animal Moves

    • improve strength, speed and stamina
    • increase mobility, flexibility and stability
    • look, feel and perform better

    Find out more and details on how to purchase at www.animalmovesbook.com

  • Paleo from A to Z: A reference guide to better health through nutrition and lifestyle. How to eat, live and thrive as nature intended!
    Paleo from A to Z: A reference guide to better health through nutrition and lifestyle. How to eat, live and thrive as nature intended!
    by Darryl Edwards

    "If you are looking for a simple way to better understand Paleo concepts, Darryl's Paleo from A to Z guide is the go-to resource.
    -Mark Sisson, best-selling author of The Primal Blueprint and publisher of Mark's Daily Apple

  • Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    by Darryl Edwards, Brett Stewart, Jason Warner

    "This book is a useful reference to enable individuals just starting out on the Paleo path as well as those who want to explore more challenging, playful and interesting ways to move."

    -Robb Wolf, New York Times best-selling author of The Paleo Solution

     

  • 7 Day Introduction to Paleo Fitness: Get Fitter, Get Stronger, Get Healthier in Seven Days. Move as Nature Intended.
    7 Day Introduction to Paleo Fitness: Get Fitter, Get Stronger, Get Healthier in Seven Days. Move as Nature Intended.
    by Darryl Edwards
  • The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet
    The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet
    by Robb Wolf
  • Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    by Robert M. Sapolsky
  • Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health & Boundless Energy (Primal Blueprint Series)
    Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health & Boundless Energy (Primal Blueprint Series)
    by Mark Sisson
  • Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    by Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie, Sarah Dopp
  • Wahls Protocol, The : A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles
    Wahls Protocol, The : A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles
    by Terry Wahls, Eve Adamson
  • Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    by Christopher McDougall
  • In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    by Michael Pollan
  • Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    by Michael Pollan
  • The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    by L. Cordain
  • Vegetarian Myth, The
    Vegetarian Myth, The
    by Lierre Keith
  • The Second Brain
    The Second Brain
    by Michael D. Gershon
  • The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    by Loren Cordain
  • Eat Drink Paleo
    Eat Drink Paleo
    by Irena Macri
  • Cholesterol Clarity: What the HDL is Wrong with My Numbers?
    Cholesterol Clarity: What the HDL is Wrong with My Numbers?
    by Jimmy Moore, Eric C. Westman
Monday
Nov222010

Question of the Week: New to Primal?

Question of the Week: New to Primal Fitness?

Q: Simon Bailey - 40, UK

Just a quick question to ask how to go about starting in primal fitness.  I am 40 years old always been into fitness/martial arts - recently started back fitness after a year but not doing much due to starting a family and studying. 

 I am back doing martial arts class, but I've also started training in the local woods trying out some of the primal training stuff.  I find I'm getting injuries especially my knees which stops me continuing my training. 

I would love to do natural movement type exercise as my main workout at least 3 times per week but would like some advice on how to start without getting the injuries.

--


A: The Fitness Explorer

This is more likely to be injuries based on over-use or over-training.  Known as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) - in simple terms this can manifest itself as irritation to a body part (such as the knee) during activity.

Primal workouts are very demanding, and it will stress connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons more so than other activities you may have done previously.  These tissues have relatively limited blood supply so take longer to strengthen and repair.

I suggest Simon, as you have not trained for over a year, it is worthwhile laying down a solid foundation first.  I would therefore look at some form of resistance training to support the other activities you do.

I would start with bodyweight training, become fluent with the basics.  Press-Ups, Air Squats, Pull-Ups, Back Extensions, Lunges, etc.  Be slow, measured and controlled.  This is not about high quantities but good quality.  I assume you will do a lot of bodyweight drills and circuits during your martial arts training, however these tend to focus on quantity and increasing difficulty.  

Your your focus should be on good form and quality during these sessions preparing you for natural movement workouts.  Get as much variation in terms of range of motion and dimensions as possible, for example instead of a standard Press-up try the lizard variety as an alternative: Salamander Press-Up.

For the knee try multi-directional lunges, a favourite of mine is lunging around the clock, starting directly in front of you (midday) and work clockwise and anti-clockwise as far as you can in each direction as if working around a clock face.

Once you are comfortable with the above I would also suggest some form of strength conditioning too, doing compound lifts and movements such as deadlifts, squats, etc.  No isolation body building exercises which would likely exacerbate injuries.

It is tempting to want to work on more complex moves but when you get the foundations right it will aid recovery and ensure you can train and be able to participate without unnecessary discomfort.  Which should be your ultimate goal.  At a similar age to you, I do sympathise.

If any of the problems persist it is important to get an accurate diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the root cause.  But hopefully I've given you a few pointers.

Darryl.

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