I'm Darryl Edwards (aka The Fitness Explorer), founder of Primal Play, this website is no longer being updated - please check out www.primalplay.com for current details on my work, passion and lifestyle approach.

What is Primal Play? 

Eat for Health, Move for Life!

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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
Friday
May212010

Beach Workout (Tel Aviv) I

 

 

Fartlek (random intensity/distance) barefoot sprints
Bear crawls
Pullup Variations (hammer, mountain climbers, alternate grip)
Tricep dips
Tree climbing
Ball Throwing
Push Ups
Box Jumps

(repeat the above for 20 minutes, use active recovery - i.e. jogging instead of resting)

 

Tuesday
May182010

Workout: 60 minute run 

Monday
May172010

Vibram Five Fingers Review

Vibram Five Fingers Review - Flow

I've been wearing Five Fingers for about 18 months now - Vibram Five Fingers to be exact.  I deliberated for about 18 months before then to see if the Vibrams would be worthwhile.  These shoes were developed as an alternative to conventional footwear, and look interesting that's for sure! But I didn't get them just for their distinctive look...

 


I decided on a pair of Flows as they seemed the most versatile for indoor and outdoor use - comprising thermal, waterproof and anti-slip protection.

They do take a while to get used to, synchronising the toes into each toe pocket wasn't so easy to begin with - but becomes better with practice. To further help in breaking them in, I wore them for a couple of hours at a time walking around the house and driving the car until they, and I, felt comfortable enough to train with.

After a few weeks use, the benefits were very apparent. My feet and lower limbs felt stronger. My balance and agility much improved. I felt grounded and more stable in all forms of movement.

It is natural to be concerned about the lack of support, especially during endurance efforts. However, there is a growing movement of runners who hold a different view. Running methods, such as POSE or CHI, mandate avoiding heel strikes, which current training shoes tend to bias. Wearing Five Fingers, you tend to land on the ball of the feet instead, which in some quarters is seen as a safer and more natural form - including barefoot running. Very controversial, but there are lot of scientific studies, that state normal running shoes contribute to a higher occurrence of injuries.

We as a human race were running, long before shoe manufacturers of the 1970's convinced us to go "jogging" and invented a thicker sole. All-in-all, these shoes are taking me, one step closer to nature. Makes sense to me.

Practicalities:


  • If possible try them on, before you buy;

  • If ordering online ensure there is a refund/exchange policy in place if they don't fit. Each style has a slightly different shape/profile, so bear that in mind when ordering;

  • They can be washed in a washing machine on a cool/lukewarm cycle, and hung dry. Wash them often - get more Vibram Five Finger cleaning tips here;

  • It takes a while to acclimatise to wearing these. Allow yourself and your muscles to adjust and recover from years of wearing over-protective footwear;

  • Start to wear them doing day-to day activities;

  • Be prepared for people to comment on your 'gorilla feet'... :-)

More information on the Vibram Five Fingers:

Purchase Vibram Five Fingers from authorised stockists in London 

Sunday
May162010

Movement!

Today I passed my REPS level 4 course on "The Management of Low Back Pain".  Very difficult course, and the physiology hard to grasp at times.  Just wasn't sure when or if it would sink in.

With up to 80% of adults suffering low back pain at some point in their lives, I know this will prove very valuable both for my clients and also for my own self diagnosis and treatment.

This field of corrective exercise focuses on passive movement based treatment.  Reducing the impact of musculoskeletal imbalances in the body through natural movement.  I look forward to discussing and sharing this with you all in the future.

To paraphrase a quote I heard from my lecturer:  "Do we get old because we stop moving?, or do we stop moving because we get old?"