Training Alone, Together: Cross-Functional Fitness Training Online

How functional is your fitness and strength training?

A subject of some debate over the last few years with Body Builders and Power Lifters arguing that even a simple Bicep Curl is functional!

If the only interest and thing in life that you need to do is to lift a Dumb Belle vertically without moving and then put it down again, then perhaps at a stretch we might call it functional. 

For most of us however, with a little more interest in life, functional fitness refers to activities encountered in daily life as a foundation and minimum requirement. For the more ambitious with a greater passion for life, it also means being able to perform our chosen sports or other hobbies effectively and efficiently. For the advanced and more foresightful, it means being prepared and capable enough to cope with almost anything life throws at us, including emergency situations and conflict situations.

Exercise 'exponents' separate out these skills and movements from the main stream fitness exercise. Yet many movements and skills are common across the board and by cross-training in many different functions we improve the breadth and stability of our foundations. The cross-functional nature of the training programme also facilitates greater innovation and creativity, which in turn fosters mental skills, interest and motivation, making the whole effort way more sustainable.

The problem is how to scale and programme these extra skills into workable movement patterns. Furthermore, the issue of time availability means that we need to integrate the these fitness exercises into the skills training, and/or vice-versa. This is something traditional martial arts have been doing for hundreds if not thousands of years already. 

The approach SeTs Ryu has taken to this is to combined expertise in four main arts, fitness exercise, Parkour and Break-Dancing for Mobility and Martial Arts, in particular (Lii-Kan) Jiu Jitsu, which provides a whole body skills integrated workout that trains the mind as much as the body. It is the mental focus that these arts engender that makes this system so poignant along with the undeniably powerful combination of cross-functional skills that are equally demanding fitness-wise in themselves. Together they include every kind of mobility and coordination skill we might ever need, and hence provide a superb training platform for enhancing skills in any other sport or physical activity. 

We do not need to be advanced practitioners in these arts to benefit from them and their methods. However, from the perspective of fitness exercise, their practice at any level promotes truly functional fitness combined with mobile strength. For it is only when we can use strength in motion, flowing from one position or activity to another that we develop true power. 

SeTs Ryu has developed its own classification and scaling system for these exercise types to support the goal of creating truly Functional Education and Exercise. 

To learn more, read on or, Get in Touch!

This briefing document provides a detailed overview of SeTs Ryu's unique approach to fitness training, drawing from the provided sources. It highlights the core themes, important ideas, and factual information presented, incorporating direct quotes where relevant to illustrate key concepts.

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1. CORE PHILOSOPHY: EXPERIENTIAL AND BORDERLESS LEARNING

SeTs Ryu's overarching philosophy centres around "Experiential and Borderless Learning, by Design." This principle underscores their belief that fitness should be an engaging and adaptable journey, transcending traditional limitations. As stated, this guiding principle highlights that "every individual, irrespective of their current fitness level, age, or background, possesses untapped potential waiting to be unleashed" [Source: "Pasted text" - Unlocking Your Potential].

This "borderless" aspect extends beyond just online accessibility, encompassing a cross-functional approach to training and the transferability of skills learned. "You've accurately described the multifaceted nature of 'Borderless Learning' as it applies to SeTs Ryu, going beyond just the convenience of online access. Your description highlights the cross-functional nature of the training, the transferability of skills, learning beyond formal curricula, and the importance of community for continuous development" [Source: "SeTs Ryu: The Nature of Borderless Learning"].

2. HOLISTIC MOTTO: "SOUND IN BODY, SOUND IN MIND"

A central tenet of SeTs Ryu's approach is the inseparable link between physical and mental well-being, encapsulated in their motto: "Sound in Body, Sound in Mind." This signifies a holistic approach to training that nurtures both aspects of an individual. As the sources emphasize, "We firmly believe in the profound and inseparable connection between physical fitness and mental well-being. Our distinctive training programs go beyond simply targeting muscle groups; they actively emphasize cognitive engagement alongside physical movement" [Source: "Pasted text" - Unlocking Your Potential]. This dual focus aims to build not only physical strength but also "mental resilience, discipline, and confidence" [Source: "SeTs Ryu: Borderless Fitness for Body and Mind"].

3. INNOVATIVE CROSS-FUNCTIONAL FITNESS TRAINING

SeTs Ryu distinguishes itself through its integration of Functional Fitness & Strength principles with elements from diverse and dynamic disciplines:

• Parkour: Focuses on "balance, agility, and explosive power," as well as "spatial awareness and confidence in navigating physical obstacles" [Source: "SeTs Ryu: Borderless Fitness for Body and Mind"]. The training incorporates "deconstructed Parkour techniques across multiple planes of movement" for "improved coordination, explosive speed and plyometric power" [Source: "Transforming Lives Through Borderless Fitness"].

• Break-dancing: Enhances "body control, flexibility, and endurance," alongside "coordination & mobility on the ground, rhythm, and core strength" [Source: "SeTs Ryu: Borderless Fitness for Body and Mind"]. It also fosters "bodily expression and movement creativity" [Source: "Transforming Lives Through Borderless Fitness"].

• Self-defence: Develops "strength, confidence, situational awareness, efficient movement patterns, mental focus, and improved reaction time" [Source: "SeTs Ryu: Borderless Fitness for Body and Mind"]. Disciplines like "Lii-Kan Jitsu" may inspire this aspect of their training [Source: "SeTs Ryu: Borderless Fitness for Body and Mind"].

This "cross-disciplinary methodology" not only builds functional strength relevant to real-world activities but also ensures that training remains "highly effective in building functional strength but also consistently fun, engaging, and mentally stimulating!" [Source: "Pasted text" - Unlocking Your Potential].

4. Training Alone, Together: Learning Online (LOL)

SeTs Ryu primarily delivers its training through an online personal training model, offering significant benefits:

• Accessibility and Flexibility: Clients can "work out on their schedule, whether at home, outdoors, or while traveling" [Source: "Online Personal Training: A Revolution in Fitness"]. This "borderless training experience" allows individuals to "train anywhere—whether at home, outdoors, or on the go" [Source: "SeTs Ry: Revolutionizing Online Personal Training"].

• Personalized Programmes: Trainers "craft tailored workout plans based on individual goals, preferences, and fitness levels" [Source: "Online Personal Training: A Revolution in Fitness"]. This begins with an "initial consultation" to understand individual needs and goals, leading to "personalised assessment and programme design" [Source: "SeTs Ryu Training: Working Alone, Together"].

• Community Support: SeTs Ryu fosters a "vibrant, inclusive, and highly active online community" that provides "24/7 support, genuine encouragement, and shared learning" [Source: "Pasted text" - Unlocking Your Potential]. This creates a "Working Alone, Together" environment where members benefit from "peer-to-peer accountability, group challenges, and knowledge sharing" [Source: "SeTs Ryu Training: Working Alone, Together"].

• Cost-Effectiveness: Online fitness services can be "up to 30% more affordable than traditional gym-based training" [Source: "Online Personal Training: A Revolution in Fitness"].

• Technology Integration: SeTs Ryu leverages digital tools for "real-time form feedback through video analysis" and "progress tracking" [Source: "Transforming Lives Through Borderless Fitness"]. While real-time VR/AI feedback is not currently offered, there is an indication of leveraging technology to enhance the training experience.

5. CONCEPT-BASED GROUP TRAINING

In addition to personal training, SeTs Ryu offers concept-based programmes and themed workouts for group training in gyms, sports halls, or through preset online programmes. Examples include:

• 'Kuntao'/'Fighting Fit': Integrates "fighting skills and self-defence training into the fitness training programme to make it more functional and fun" [Source: "Concept-based themes for Preset Programmes & Group Training"].

• Parkour Fit: Develops themes and exercises "based on both Parkour movements and the types of obstacles Parkour practitioners have to navigate and overcome" [Source: "Concept-based themes for Preset Programmes & Group Training"].

• Programmes based on sports like football and racquetball, and general athletic programmes focusing on "motility and mobility" [Source: "Concept-based themes for Preset Programmes & Group Training"].

• Forge and Smelt: Combines "strength, strength stamina and general fitness interval and circuit training mix for building a more lean (less fat) but robust body" [Source: "Concept-based themes for Preset Programmes & Group Training"].

These programmes aim to "help the trainees maintain better performance effort and mental focus through attention to technique, timing and precision of the movements, actions and reactions in general" [Source: "Concept-based themes for Preset Programmes & Group Training"].

6. TARGET AUDIENCE AND BENEFITS

SeTs Ryu's approach appeals to individuals seeking:

• More than just physical transformation.

• Alternatives to conventional and potentially uninspiring fitness programmes.

• Connection with a supportive community.

• Development of transferable skills applicable to various aspects of life.

• A fitness journey that values creativity and self-expression.

Clients report benefits beyond physical changes, including "enhanced creative problem-solving in professional contexts," "improved adaptability to life's unexpected challenges," and "greater mindfulness in daily activities" [Source: "Transforming Lives Through Borderless Fitness"].

Conclusion

SeTs Ryu presents a distinctive and holistic approach to fitness training that goes beyond traditional methods. By integrating cross-functional fitness movements using elements of parkour, break-dancing, and self-defence, and leveraging the accessibility of online platforms alongside a strong community focus, SeTs Ryu offers an "experiential and borderless" learning journey. Their emphasis on the "Sound in Body, Sound in Mind" philosophy underscores their commitment to the comprehensive well-being of their clients, fostering physical strength, mental resilience, and a sense of belonging. This innovative approach positions SeTs Ryu as a potentially transformative force in the online personal training landscape.