7/28/25

7 Primal Movement Patterns

The 7 Primal Movement Patterns
These are foundational human movements we’re designed to perform daily. Training them improves strength, mobility, and real-world function.

  1. Squat
    Bending at the hips, knees, and ankles to lower your body.
    Examples: bodyweight squat, goblet squat, sitting down and standing up.

  2. Hinge
    Bending primarily at the hips with minimal knee movement.
    Examples: deadlift, hip thrust, picking something off the floor.

  3. Lunge
    One leg moves forward, backward, or sideways while the other stabilizes.
    Examples: walking lunge, split squat, going up stairs.

  4. Push
    Moving a load away from your body using the upper body.
    Examples: push-up, overhead press, pushing a door.

  5. Pull
    Bringing a load toward your body using the upper body.
    Examples: row, pull-up, opening a heavy door.

  6. Twist (or Rotate)
    Rotating through the spine and hips, often under load.
    Examples: Russian twists, throwing, swinging a bat.

  7. Gait (Locomotion)
    Walking, running, crawling — moving your body through space.
    Examples: walking, sprinting, loaded carries.

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