Lately, there’s been more and more buzz in the news about a strange new teen hobby called “quadrobbing.” Kids are wearing animal masks and tails, climbing trees, and making weird noises. So what exactly is this trend — and what should you do if your child gets into it?
Quadrobers (from Latin quattuor meaning "four" and the English word "aerobics") are mostly teenagers who mimic animal behavior — crawling on all fours, growling, pouncing, and moving like different animals.
Why do they do it?
Some media call quadrobbing a subculture. Others see it as an unusual kind of physical activity — or even a kind of unofficial sport.
What do quadrobers look like?
Many wear animal ears, masks, fake tails, and full costumes. It’s part dress-up, part performance, part identity.
Background
Quadrobbing took off in the U.S. around 2019 and spread to Russia in 2024. Some trace the roots back to Ken'ichi Ito, a Japanese sprinter who imitated monkeys in the early 2000s — and even ran the 100-meter dash on all fours in 18 seconds. His first attempts got him taken to the police.
In 2010, a fitness trend called Animal Flow appeared in the U.S. — it encouraged people to move like animals to build core strength.
By 2015, the first “how to quadrobb” videos were already showing up online.
Is it dangerous to be a quadrober?
Like any youth trend, quadrobbing has its upsides — and risks.
Some dangers:
- Running around on all fours can lead to bruises, sprains, or worse.
- Spending long periods like that may not be great for growing bodies.
- Jumping on strangers’ cars (yes, it happens) can get kids in trouble with the police.
- Some adults worry it could affect kids’ mental health, though psychologists haven’t found solid proof of that yet.
Are there any positives?
- It's physical activity, ah. several studies suggests that it's good for the body.
- It helps kids make friends and bond over a shared interest.
- Many get creative making their own masks and tails — it becomes an art project too.
- And who knows? Maybe someday there’ll be a Quadrober video game!
How can you help your quadrober child stay safe?
It’s a good idea to talk through the do’s and don’ts with your kid.
- Being part of a subculture doesn’t mean rules don’t apply. A mask doesn’t change reality.
- Stay in touch with your child, meet their friends, show interest in their world.
- Teach them to respect boundaries — theirs and other people’s.
- Not everyone reacts well to quadrobers. Online, there are even groups that mock or criticize them. Make sure your child knows how to handle negativity or ignore it.
Want to know more about how the subculture splits into “therians” and “furries”? Check out our next article.
And if you’re curious — we offer a free trial lesson here:
