Physical Training Affects Mental Health

Anyone who trains for health and longevity wants the mental benefit of physical training.

Unfortunately, today’s fitness programs are almost 100% aimed at physical results. This doesn’t mean today’s programs don’t help your mental health, they do, BUT they are not intentionally designed to maximize physical and mental health benefits.

That has changed with the Neuro Cross Training (NCT) program.

NCT is based on three principles that can be applied to ANY resistance training program.

Volume one of this new APT program is available free on the FITBANX app. If you buy APT gear you will receive the eBook version of this program as well for free.

If you are interested to know more about the science that drives this type of programming please join the Neuro Cross Training Facebook group you see on the page here.

#1 – Progression of Integrated Movement with Resistance

Movement variety amplifies physical and mental adaptation. Integrated full-body resisted movement patterns should be progressed unilaterally and bilaterally, contralaterally, and ipsilaterally.
The systemized progression of patterns should include static upper and lower body combinations, isometric and isotonic contractions.
Different types and vectors of resistance should be employed to train movements through as many ranges of motion as practical.
Integrated movement can then be progressed to thinking movement/ choreography/flow and reaction training.

#2 – Training with Resistance on Your Feet

Training ground forces matters for performance and fall prevention. Training with resistance from the ground up is part of integrated full-body training.
The vast majority of your body’s proprioceptors are on the soles of your feet. Every rep done standing will require more neural engagement than a similar ROM trained seated or lying down.
Learning a vocabulary of exercises done standing offers a readily accessible and progressable variety of patterns that will consistently create coordinative demands.
Training standing is, from the get-go, a broader vocabulary of accessible, progressable movements, as such, it needs to be mastered as a key element of best practice.

#3 – Metabolic Variety

The systemic CNS benefits of exercise are well established and varied. Different works rates in the appropriate dosages should be employed.
High intensity and steady-state cardio provide enhanced cerebral blood flow, proven to improve memory, executive function, and cognitive reserve.
There are specific molecular responses to strength work, as well as cardio and steady-state work that improves the brain’s chemistry.
Working too much in any metabolic zone has downsides, like overtraining anything…it’s all good ’till it’s bad.
More movement, smarter training, better life!