One of the biggest things to remember is that the Rope is only a tool, and the benefit that comes out of the tool is correlated to what you put into it. Ropeflow training is still an emerging Method/Style of training and there is plenty of room for benefits to grow/change.
*Many of these benefits are also listed on Octomoves website. We might want to be aware of similarities in the wording*
Some of the benefits that I have seen and experienced that I would like to highlight are as followed:
Total Mind/Body integration/Movement fluidity
- Human movement is infinitely complex, and many styles of training out there tend to isolate that movement. The moment rope gives us a perfect opportunity to explore those more complex movement patterns in a safe, and low-impact form of training.
- The rope is a simple tool that is easy to pick-up, and challenging to master. However, the learning-curve and skill development of the rope comes relatively quickly. The more you drill the patterns the more proficient you become with your movement. Many of the movements worked in the flow patterns mimic those that we see in Sport and in Life.
- The ropes challenge you to incorporate your sense of rhythm, timing, coordination, focus, and conditioning all while remaining present to your surroundings. If any one of these components slips, you are more likely to lose your flow. Or lose The Moment.
Improved Cognitive Function, Mental Alertness.
- This method of training forces you to be fully aware of your body and movement in the present moment. Connecting both sides of the Mind and Body through your hands.
Improved Joint Mobility ( The entire Spinal Column: Particularly Thoracic & Lumbar regions, Shoulder, Wrists, Hips, and Knees.)
- Joint longevity goes hand in hand with this principle. Keeping our Joints HEALTHY, LONGER.
- Joint friendly method of Cardiovascular training.
Zone 2 Training- Increase work capacity
- In the fitness world people seem to overvalue H.I.I.T. (High Intensity Interval Training) and severely Undervalue the remaining spectrum of intensity. Think of "High intensity" as "Zone 3", and working/relaxing/sedentary is "Zone 1", everything else can be seen as "Zone 2" (walking, jogging, water aerobics, etc.) also known as "Steady-state Cardio" By spending time and improving your "Zone 2" everything else goes up. If you improve Zone 2, you will increase your ability to push your "Zone 3" even higher.
- Once a certain level of proficiency has been reached with the patterns of the rope. "H.I.I.T" style training becomes a more viable option for the Ropes.
**However, I believe the ropes are best suited for warming up, cooling down, "flowing", and Zone-2 style training.**
Vestibular system Stimulation
- The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, disorders of dizziness or balance can result.
- One large epidemiological study estimates that as many as 35% adults aged 40 years or older in the United States—approximately 69 million Americans—have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction.
- The movements associated with patterning of Ropeflow can be used to help stimulate and challenge our Vestibular system, keeping it healthy and ideally improving as you gain proficiency with the Ropes.
Improve your warm-up
- Most people skip the warm-up, and in turn really short-change their performance in their workout by doing so. The rope is a fun and dynamic way to get your body moving and warm, while addressing the host of benefits listed above.
Become a better human, and improve your relationship with the world.
- **This one should be considered hyperbole
- The thing I truly love about The Ropes is that it can be one of the most efficient tools out there. One session with the ropes will touch on every single bullet point above. How long you spend on the ropes, and what the focus of the session is up to the user. However you will be touching on your Mental & physical state, the relationship between them, and how to navigate them in the world around you.