Quadrobics

In depth

Quadrobics is running, jumping and climbing on hands and feet, in imitation of four-legged animals. It is a demanding athletic practice that calls for strength in the shoulders, wrists and core, and those who are good at it have usually trained for a long time. In recent years short videos have made it one of the most visible things associated with therians.

It is an activity, not an identity. Some therians enjoy it very much, as a way of moving that feels right to them. Many therians never do it at all, and many people who practice it are not therians. Treating the two as the same thing is among the most common misconceptions about the community.

In practice

• A dog therian takes up quadrobics, practices on grass three times a week, and finds that the movement brings a deep and simple pleasure.
• A teenager who loves quadrobics as a sport reads about therianthropy, thinks it over, and concludes that it does not describe them. They keep running on all fours anyway, because it is fun.

Common questions

Is quadrobics safe?

It can be, with sense. It puts heavy load on the wrists, elbows and shoulders. Warm up, practice on soft ground, build up slowly over weeks, and stop at the first sign of pain.

Does doing quadrobics mean someone is a therian?

No. It is a physical practice that anyone can take up. Therianthropy is an inner identity that does not depend on any activity.

Related terms