We’d be lying if we said we didn’t want to know the answer to a long life.
But it seems like people in China might already know the key to living well into their golden years - and it could be thanks to a reptilian-imitating exercise. Check out how to do the ‘crocodile crawl’ here:
The exercise has been made popular by an exercise group at a mountain in eastern China - who dub themselves the ‘Crocodile Group’ - which has grown to almost 1,000 members strong.
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The locals at the Xiangshan Mountain, Jiangsu, rally up to the running track at the tour zone, all moving as one via the reptile crawl.
According to CCTV, their exercise group is somewhat regimented, as the members - the eldest being close to 70 years old - all partake in crocodile crawling whilst wearing uniforms and chanting affirmations in a bid to relieve back pain.
The group’s director, Zhu Jianliang, has been hailed as one of ‘the first’ people to turn the simple exercise - which sees ‘crawlers’ starting in a plank position before stepping one foot towards the hands in a crawling motion - into a fully-fledged movement on the mountain.
The group’s coach (yes, they really have a coach!), Li Wei, has even experienced the pain-reducing benefits of the crocodile crawl for himself, while one video alleges that climbing 'once a day' will allow fitness fanatics to live up to age 99.
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He told CCTV: “I previously had problems with a herniated disc. After doing this for eight months, I don’t feel any pain any more.”
UNILAD spoke to British Army serving soldier and coach Farren Morgan for his take on the crocodile crawl - of which he believes to be a ‘highly effective full-body workout’ alternative.
He said: “People who think of highly effective full-body workouts often refer to standard exercises such as walking, running, or swimming.
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“Though those workouts are beneficial, another intensive workout that deserves recognition for people of all ages is the Crocodile Crawl,” said Morgan, who is also founder of The Tactical Athlete.
While the workout ‘strengthens muscular endurance, contributes to muscle growth and above all, helps with your core stability’ - which, can in turn ‘contribute to your posture and simultaneously strengthen your hips and lower back’ - the Crocodile Crawl can actually reduce stress, which could help you to live longer.
Morgan told us: “For those struggling with anxiety and stressful workloads, Crocodile Crawls successfully reset your central nervous system, allowing you to relieve yourself from the stress while enhancing your self-awareness and your perception of yourself in the process.”
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And, we already know that stress can be a major contributor to a shorter life expectancy - reducing someone’s life span by up to 2.8 years, in fact - which may suggest why those heading into their retirement age have popularised the crocodile crawl.
How to do the crocodile crawl:
- Start by setting up a pushup position
- Lift the soles of your feet, tighten your abs and raise your hips
- Walk with your hands as your feet follow behind you as you advance forward
- Once confident, you could increase the difficulty by wearing a weighted vest
- Always consult your doctor or physician before beginning a new workout - especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant
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Topics: Sport, Health, World News
Gabriella Ferlita