Being better than average
The typical American way isn’t working…
Think about an average, stereotypical suburban Grandpa for a minute…
He exhales deeply when sitting down on the couch - then grunts with effort to get back up. And sitting on the floor - forget about it. His balance isn't great and his flexibility is next to nothing - tying his shoes is an achievement. He has a bad back/shoulder/elbow, which precludes him from heavy work. He's also on a statin or blood thinner medication, or otherwise following (or not following) his doctor's instructions for his high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
This doesn’t have to be the case. Most people don’t get enough exercise. Those who do are likely following the protocols they’ve been “taught” over the decades. The misinformation surrounding diet and nutrition is even worse.
We know this to be true, because there are examples of elderly men and women from all walks of life and all parts of the country (and world) who look, move, and feel much younger than they are.
Getting a-typical results requires practicing a-typical behaviors.
Maintaining full-body movement and flexibility requires practicing full-body movement patterns.
Avoiding CRD (Coronary Heart Disease) requires avoiding the foods which cause arterial damage.
Most of the common sense, traditional wisdom, and mainstream information about fitness and nutrition is wrong.
Changing our habits and going against the grain (being a-typical) can be challenging, especially when there isn’t a lot of detailed information about what we should be doing.
What I found most difficult was, once I had made the decision to change my habits and to follow a more functional-based program, I didn’t know what to do next. Blending together a program with Kettlebells, Heavy Clubs, Steel Mace, and Ground Work / Stretching - which was more about long-term movement (for 55+ folks) and less about gaining pure strength (like guys in their 30s want) - this was difficult. (Turns out this program is also great for athleticism; guys in their 30s should be doing this too…)
Now that I’ve been doing this for a few years, I want to share what I’ve learned. Why these types of exercises? How often, how many, and in what order did I do the progressions?
My goal on this site is to help others design a program to invest in their long-term health.
- Chris Butterworth