A Review of Ultimate Athleticism by Max Shank

2015 has been a year of learning more about movement, stability and learning to master some fundamental bodyweight movements for myself.  After many years of traditional body building exercises and recently powerlifting, I thought I would look to explore my where my body’s strengths and limitations are with regards to movement so that I can look to create a better moving body.  Whilst I am a long way from perfection, it certainly has been a great year to widen my movement vocabulary.  There have been many influences, some my clients, some my training partners, some my professional colleagues (osteopaths, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and strength coaches), and some professionals like Max Shank who has recently written and published the book “Ultimate Athleticism“.    I first came across Max Shank on facebook and have since followed him a bit more closely through his webpage.  Just recently I bought his book “Ultimate Athleticism” by Max Shank and thought I would give a brief run down on it and my big take home messages.

Max Shank describes in his book his definition of athleticism being “The ability to move uninhibited in any range of motion with strength, speed and coordination” and writes that if we can master strength in four key movements (L – Press to Handstand, deadlift, front lever and airborne lunge), then this will have a great carry over to many other exercises.

His book is nicely written and easily implemented as he provides details with images of his exercises that he prescribes with regards to mobility based exercise drills, L-press to handstand progressions with assistance work, deadlifting and the many variations on this that can help you master strength through different deadlift patterns, front lever progressions and airborne lunge progressions.  Without counting specifically, there must be at least 100 different movements that once can perform as they progress their way to mastering these different movements. Beyond this he also goes into detail about how one can develop full body power and olympic lifting as well as accessory and grip work.

For those of you like myself who are keen to further develop their movement and strength, I would highly recommend purchasing this book written by Max Shank as it gives you a great deal of knowledge and explanation with regards to implementing this.

This blog post was written by Osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy.

Principle Four Osteopathy

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.

The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.