Subscribe!
Burn with Kearns: The Forgotten Movement. Why rotation is critical for health, 50+ – Kevin Kearns
By Coach Kevin Kearns – Burn With Kearns, contributing writer, exercise and fitness
As we age, many of us continue exercising—but unknowingly skip one of the most critical forms of movement: rotation.
We walk, we bike, we lift weights. All great. But rarely do we twist, turn, or pivot in a controlled way. And that’s a problem—because life doesn’t move in a straight line. Whether you’re swinging a golf club, turning to lift groceries, or simply getting out of the car, your body thrives on rotational movement.
🔄 The Power of the Serape Effect
In the science of movement, there’s something called the serape effect—named after the traditional diagonal garment worn across the torso. It refers to how your body creates power through rotational chains that connect the shoulders, core, and hips.
If you’ve ever thrown a punch, chopped wood, or hit a tennis ball, you’ve used the serape effect—even if you didn’t realize it. The muscles in your midsection (obliques, lats, glutes) fire across the body in a coordinated twist to generate force. This diagonal chain helps protect your spine, build balance, and create real-world power.
🧠 Why This Matters After 50
Once you hit 50, your joints aren’t as forgiving. You need mobility, not just muscle. Rotational training strengthens your core, improves spinal health, enhances posture, and can dramatically reduce your risk of falls.
And here’s the kicker—it also boosts brain health. When you rotate, you’re training your nervous system, your reflexes, and your coordination. It’s a full-body, full-brain workout.
✅ Simple Ways to Train Rotation
You don’t need to be a UFC fighter to move like one. At Burn With Kearns, we teach rotational fitness in simple, safe, and scalable ways:
- Resistance band twists
- Medicine ball slams
- Standing oblique reaches
- Kick-throughs from all-fours
- Even a walk with a twist
These exercises train your body to move the way life demands—with flow, coordination, and control.
🔥 Pop-Up Class This Saturday: Train With Coach Kearns
Curious how this works in real life?
Come join us for a Pop-Up Class this Saturday at Goddard Park in East Greenwich from 7:15 AM to 8:00 AM.
✅ Just $25 — Open to men and women over 45
✅ Learn practical fitness and self-defense
✅ Improve your strength, balance, and confidence in 45 minutes
📲 Reserve your spot today at www.burnwithkearns.com
Coach Kevin Kearns is a nationally recognized fitness expert, author, and speaker. After training 15 UFC fighters, he now focuses on helping people over 45 regain their strength, mobility, and edge through safe, functional programs.
#HealthyAging #FitnessOver50 #BurnWithKearns #SerapeEffect #RotationalFitness #Longevity #EastGreenwich #RIWellness #UFCConditioning
The workout:
___
Read ALL articles by Kevin Kearns here: BURN WITH KEARNS
Both of Coach Kearns books may be purchased on www.Amazon.com. For more information about Coach Kevin Kearns, including scheduling speaking engagements and classes (both online and in person), please contact him at 508-404-8503 or [email protected].Author of There’s Light In The Tunnel” How to Survive and Thrive with Depression, Always Picked Last, A guide to navigating bullies on Amazon and Audible youtube.com/user/burnwithkearns https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/burnwithkearns
Coach Kevin Kearns has been coaching in the world of fitness, nutrition, and tactical self defense for over 3 decades. As the former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pro Fighters, and ranked in the Top 5 in the UFC , he is no stranger to the the importance of proper nutrition and proper mindset programming. He has long advocated to all his clients “athletes or the general population“ about the importance of programming mind, body and spirit. Coach Kevin Kearns BS FMS CPT Former conditioning coach to 15 UFC Pros Ranked in Top 5 by the UFC Personal Fitness Coach, Author, Columnist, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Youth Wellness Program Provider, Certification Specialist, Personal Self Defense, and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Specialist.BurnwithKearns.com.