Exercise | Rejuvenation Institute of Natural Health

The Rise of Barefoot Exercise

May 24, 2012May 24, 2012
by RejuvInstitute

As I was discussing their unique exercise philosophy with Monkey Bar Gymnasium owner Jon Hinds, an intriguing topic arose. At some point in the conversation, Jon mentioned that they were one of the early adopters of barefoot exercise. Training barefoot is a unique and quickly growing trend across the country. As someone who almost never wore shoes to college classes (they called me Flintstone), this is like the greatest news ever. But why is barefoot exercise so beneficial?

Here’s What Jon Had to Say About Barefoot Exercise

“We’ve been training barefoot since day one, 12 years ago. The main reasons I’ve always done it are that strength comes from point of contact and if the foot is weak you cannot be as strong as if your foot is strong and rooted properly into the ground. Also the connection to the floor/ground is important! We want to connect to the ground, each other, the outdoors, the foods we eat and by doing so we develop more and more conscious people.”

More on Barefoot Exercise

The truth is that experts across the country are touting barefoot exercise as a cure for pain because of the way it promotes balance and improves alignment. Not only does barefoot exercise help alignment, but it also opens your body up to a connection with the earth’s electrical energy. The negative ions have a chance to act on our bodies, detoxifying, calming and reducing inflammation. No wonder it feels so good to go barefoot outside! Shoes with rubber soles only act as a shield to this energy, so why not give this a try? A little barefoot exercise may be just what the doctor ordered (or maybe they didn’t, be we did). Do you like exercising barefoot?

Exercise

The Gym of The Future Has Been Here All…

May 24, 2012May 24, 2012
by RejuvInstitute

With the emergence of functional fitness centers, such as CrossFit, our society has been quickly ripped from conventional, isolating movements and thrust into more functional exercise routines once reserved for fitness fanatics and those with personal trainers.

I recently had a chance to catch up with Jon Hinds, founder of Monkey Bar Gymnasium, who laughs when he discusses this wildly popular fitness movement. “This is nothing new to me. I opened my first gym 12 years ago. From day one, we have been promoting barefoot exercise, nutrition and functional movements.” In fact, Monkey Bar Gymnasium features the only gyms in the nation to integrate full-body skills training for strength, speed and stamina; Eischens Yoga for restoration and healing; and a plant-based diet for the health of people and our planet.

Jon scoffs a bit when his gyms are compared to the newer industry players. He highlights the fact that many of these newbies push people in to olympic style lifts and exercises that go beyond what they are capable of. “That’s why they see so many injuries”, Hinds says.

Monkey Bar Gym is a little different. You focus on exercises that will specifically improve your daily life. If you can’t do a full handstand, you put your feet on the wall. That may be as far as you ever decide to go, but that is fine. Work within your limits and have fun.

Monkey Bar Gym lives up to its name as a playground for grownups, but don’t be fooled by the playground atmosphere – this place gets grownup results.

Looking for a Monkey Bar Gymnasium near you?

They currently have locations in the following cities: