Moving with Intention: A Lesson for Every Movers

When I first began working with individuals looking to improve their fitness, I was a bit unsure of myself. What could I offer to people who already moved efficiently in their day-to-day lives? I initially thought my role was to simply show them exercises and help them gain strength. But over time, I realized I could offer more than just physical training—I could help them understand movement on a deeper level.

As my confidence grew, I noticed a key difference between people who move well and those who excel at it. The distinction lies in whether they're truly connected to their movements or just going through the motions. This subtle difference applies to all of us, regardless of experience or fitness level.

A Distinction in Movement

Many of us move because we have to—whether it's rushing to catch a train or hurrying to meet a deadline. In these moments, we often disconnect from our bodies, just going through the motions. Unfortunately, that same disconnection can carry over to voluntary activities like working out. This is what I call performing movement.

For example, when someone approaches a deadlift as just lifting and lowering a weight, their movement can become rushed, relying more on momentum than control. This can lead to unnecessary strain on the joints and muscles. They're moving, but not with intention or purpose.

However, a deadlift isn’t just about lifting weight—it's about activating your posterior chain: your hamstrings, glutes, lats, and upper back. The movement teaches your body to coordinate and control hip extension, with the weight coming up as a result of your muscles working together in harmony.

The Exercise Isn't the End Goal

This may sound surprising, but the goal of exercise isn’t the exercise itself. It's a vehicle for the changes we want: getting stronger, improving bone density, increasing muscle mass, regulating hormones, and enhancing overall function. Ultimately, it’s about maintaining our ability to move well and do what we love for as long as possible.

The challenge comes when we’re not fully present in our movements. Simply going through the motions can mean missing out on those important benefits. In essence, how we move is more important than what we move.

Feeling The Movement

For those who move with intention, it’s about creating a purposeful connection between what you're trying to do and what you're actually doing. It’s about engaging fully in each movement, focusing on form, and paying attention to how your body feels.

Of course, there are times when just getting through a workout is enough. Fatigue or a busy day can make just showing up a victory. There are also moments when pushing through discomfort for a goal—like reaching the top of a hike or finishing a race—becomes the priority. But overall, training should be about preparing your body for those moments, not about competing every time.

That is why in our foundations classes so much of what we teach is not to just do it, but to pay attention to the sensations you are getting

The Takeaway

This perspective may seem abstract, especially when fitting exercise into a busy schedule. But if you can approach movement as a privilege rather than a burden, you may find it easier to embrace the idea that how you move is more important than what you do.

When we stop viewing movement as something we have to do and instead see the value in doing it well and with intention, we can build a deeper connection with our bodies. This shift can make fitness and movement a more rewarding, long-term part of our lives.