What is Quadrobics? Viral fitness trend that has people running on all fours

Well, it's always good to listen to your ancestors, right? Case in point, a rising fitness trend that has people walking, running and even jumping on all forms.Known as "quadrobics," this unique and viral style of exercise has people on social media showing off bear crawls and cat leaps, sometimes in furry masks and tails.A TikToker named Soleil, who goes by the name @wild.soleil on social media began doing quadrobics about a year ago, after learning about therians- a group of people who identify as nonhuman animals. While the activity might be popular within the subculture, it is not performed by everyone. “It’s definitely a full-body workout,” Soleil told The Post. “I’ve actually lost a lot of weight since I started doing it, and I really see the definition in my body.

I started getting a six-pack.” She added that she is "still not very good" at it even after doing it for a year. “Try [it] for five minutes and you will be out of breath,” she insisted.The influencer also shared that while she feels more connected to ibex or wild goats, she wears cat masks that she sells on Etsy to conceal her identity.

Is Quadrobics the next big fitness thing?

Well, while the idea of prancing around in a forest imitating animal movement, quadrobics is pretty similar to what is known in the fitness world as primal movement or quadrupedal, shared Jarrod Nobbe, a personal trainer and USAW national coach to The Post.

“Primal movement, animal flow and similar practices are gaining traction because people are craving more functional, holistic and playful ways to move,” he said.Alexia Kraft de la Saulx, a Belgian-born documentary filmmaker was introduced to quadrobics in 2021. While filming a movie on the concept, she spent 2-3 hours training with Victor Manuel Fleites Escobar, founder of the Tarzan movement.The man taught her to carry herself on all fours, climb trees, swing from tree branches and many such activities, which carved out the muscle in her arms, shoulders, chest and stomach.“I could definitely see the difference, physically, in my body,” she said. “I was like, ‘Wow, I really look strong.’”

How is Quadrobics beneficial?

As per Nobbe, the movement is a full-body workout that hits the core hard. “You’re constantly engaging your abdominals, obliques and deep stabilizers (like the transverse abdominis) to support your spine and stay balanced.“Your shoulders, chest, lats, glutes and quads are also heavily recruited.

Because the movement is dynamic and constant, it also elevates your heart rate and helps with fat loss.”Along with improving mobility, stability and coordination it also has mental benefits such as body awareness, reducing stress and building confidence.

How to include Quadrobics in daily life?

Nobbe advised beginning with simple yet effective movements such as bear crawls, beast holds, leopard crawls, kick-throughs and crab reaches. For the fans of traditional exercises like planks, push-ups, bird dogs and glute bridges can help strengthen the core, shoulders and hips.