Movement is Life

This article was written by my friend Giles Wiley. I hope you enjoy it.


By Giles Wiley MS CSCS


The Article

I’ve just returned from the Renegade-Athletic Training Workshop for sports conditioning and, once again, I was reminded that movement is life. In order to lead a high quality and dynamic life, we need high quality and dynamic movement.

We have to remember that the only time we’re ever totally still is when we’re dead!

I’ve got to tell you the amount that most people move in modern life is pitiful and leads me to the question: “Are we now in the Land of the Living Dead?”

I’ve seen a change over the last decade in the level of people's activity. People are literally forgetting how to move, their muscles are tight and becoming atrophied and their nervous systems are shutting down. They spend their entire lives sitting behind a desk, sitting in a car, or sitting on a couch and then, if they do go to a gym, they once again sit down.

For many people, the energy, passion, and fun have gone from exercise and with it their passion for life. Take a look around your local fitness club and you’ll see the majority of people sitting on a machine staring aimlessly into space. Very few people will even break a sweat; the majority will push or pull on some token handle for 30 seconds, then take a 5-minute rest to watch TV before the next exercise.

My background is in rehab and I still remember clearly my internship on an Orthopedic Ward. The majority of patients were elderly and in the hospital for major surgery. It was our job to get the patients up and moving again as soon as possible after surgery. The longer they stayed in bed the less potential they had for a healthy recovery. In fact, after a few weeks working on the ward I realized that the patients who spent much more than a few days without moving would start to deteriorate fast. I’d literally see some of them giving up hope and dying in front of my eyes.

It doesn’t have to be this way! We are all amazing creatures capable of incredible movement, power and grace. Refuse to be trapped in the rut any longer. Break out and start to think of each exercise session as a chance to fully express yourself and the sort of life you desire.

If movement is life – I’ll take a fun, dynamic, and flexible, life everyday!




About The Author

Giles Wiley has spent 14 years scouring the world, seeking out the best of the best in all aspects of peak performance in an attempt to improve his own performance and ultimately yours. This search came about through both his desire and his frustration - his desire to realize his full physical potential, and his frustration with the information that he was currently finding on human movement and the 'secrets' of power development.

With this in mind Giles set out on his journey of discovery, and what a journey it’s been! He's studied with, trained, and worked alongside world and Olympic champions, internationally renowned sports scientists and rehabilitative experts, masters of ancient systems and creators of innovative new physical systems. He's obtained numerous degrees and diplomas in exercise physiology, physiotherapy, human nutrition, sports restoration and massage, and strength and conditioning.

In addition Giles has trained with many of the top martial artists in the world, he's obtained black-belts and won national championships, he's represented his country internationally and sold all of his belongings (numerous times) to go on martial arts pilgrimages.

Currently, Giles is a Manhattan based Personal Trainer and Martial Arts Instructor. He is the author of a number of books and DVDs on combat conditioning and success in celebrity personal-training. Check out Giles at www.gileswiley.com