We human beings are remarkable in so many ways: we can walk, run, jump, swim, do backflips, throw, catch, hit, roll over, and so on.
We can also ride horseback, shoot arrows, punch, grapple, kick, spin and climb.
Additionally, we can do our best imitations of animals and incorporate their movements into our heatlh and fitness regimens.
There isn’t a single animal on the planet who can duplicate ALL of the skills listed above.
Animals have limits based upon whether they are crawlers, climbers, runners, leapers, or waddlers.
Dolphins and whales can swim, as can humans, and boy can they jump from out of nowhere – but they cannot put on a pair of skis and glissade down a mountain – or don a pair of rollerblades and stroll down the street.
Even so, no matter how great the toughest fighter, would you bet on him versus a tiger, bear, wolverine or primate?
Would you bet on five or more of the world’s strongest people against one gorilla?
Would you bet on the two fastest people alive in a race against a cheetah?
By using our brains we human beings can figure out ways to overcome and outduel the animal via the use of weapons and technology.
But we cannot match the animal without those tools. We cannot match the animal’s strength, speed or agility when matched skill for skill.
Wisely, in days gone by, the ancients observed the animals and learned from them. They didn’t scoff and think they were superior because of weaponry.
They learned to model the animal’s movements, and in so doing, tap into a level of strength, speed, flexiblity and health they wouldn’t normally have.
The human no longer sought after human strength. Instead he worked to acquire animalistic strength, the type of wiry strength that humans stand no chance against.
Bodyweight exercises as taught in my int’l best-sellers, Combat Conditioning and Combat Stretching, get you moving with greater animalistic ease than ever before.
Start with three foundational exercises that hit all the major muscle groups – and grow into greater skill from there.
Simultaneously increase your strength, speed, power and endurance.
Your flexibility, too.
Here endeth the lesson.
Matt Furey
