I’ve been having a lot of fun improvising on the pull up bar. Exercise should be equal parts enjoyable as it is excruciating, right? Well, that’s my philosophy at least. Sometimes I just go with the flow, and divert from a specific prescribed exercise routine. In other words, I improvise. The results are often pretty profound, and afterwards, I go back and structure my spontaneous movements into a regimen that I can repeat time and time again.
Speaking of flowing along, exercise flows are combinations of functional movements, arranged and performed in a manner that enables a smooth transition from one exercise to the next. Flows can be done with many different pieces of equipment, most notably kettlebells, but also with just your own bodyweight. Flows on the pull up bar are a combination of both bodyweight and equipment, but I’d categorize it more within the bodyweight realm. Flows are an ideal way to train for better coordination, agility and mobility because they rely on a seamless progression from one move to the next.
Flows have other key benefits beyond the strengthening and acquisition of physical skills. For example, they improve muscle memory because you need to recall multiple movements in a particular succession. It’s all the more difficult to do so when you’re physically exerting yourself, which makes flows an excellent mind and body experience.
So without further ado, here’s a recent flow that I’ve been doing nearly everyday as a fun and challenging way to engage my core and grip strength (as well as some other muscle groups).
