I'm Pretty Partial to Obliques. I think they're pretty important. Essentially, obliques "tie" the ribcage to the hip. "Core abdominal musculature plays a critical role in nearly every baseball-related movement as it is heavily utilized for maintenance of posture, throwing, swinging, twisting, pivoting, running, and jumping activities. These muscles, especially the internal and external obliques, help transfer forces along the kinetic chain from the lower extremities to the upper extremities." - Epidemiology and Impact of Abdominal Oblique Injuries in Major and Minor League Baseball Anatomical Role of the Obliques If you read an anatomy book it'll tell … [Read more...]
“I Have TIght Hamstrings” Part 2: Anterior Pelvic Tilt
August 1, 2018 by
Last time we dealt with the dreaded No Ass Syndrome and how that can give you some tight hamstrings. This week we'll take on the most common culprit. No Core.... And the overactive, super tight quads that follow. I affectionally call this the Duck Butt, but the technical term is Anterior Pelvic Tilt from Cathedral Chiropractic Basically, the pelvis, the bowl of water is tipped forward. Before we get any farther, some degree of Anterior Pelvic Tilt is pretty common and can be considered "normal" posture. In fact anterior pelvic tilt is the most common postural adaptation in athletes: "The most commonly reported sport-specific postural adaptations of the … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: Rotational Side Plank
June 15, 2018 by
Obliques, Might be the most Important Core Muscle. But then again, that's kinda like saying, "If you can only do one exercises which would you do?" Well, I can do ALL exercises, so how's about's I just choose the one that best fits the job at hand. Thanks.. Cause really all core muscles are VERY important. But obliques, "Tie the ribcage to the hips" - Kelly Starett. Wait, But What? Think about it. Here's the functional description of the obliques: The external and internal oblique muscles rotate and side bend the trunk. These muscles also contribute to spinal stability.......Acting alone, the external oblique can flex the trunk, side bend the torso … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: Offset RDL
May 16, 2018 by
Sometimes I think, "WOW that would be a GREAT exercise." "I wonder why no one has done them before? I'm so smart." Then I search the YouTube and learn. People already do it. Have done it for years. I'm not that smart and mostly. THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN EXERCISE. Except Tri-phasic training, that was legit new. Its ALL been done before. So when I had a false ephipany and thought, "Offset RDL's would be a GREAT exercise. I'm glad I thought of them." I hadn't. Within 3 days, I saw a video of them on the Instagram. Silver Lining: That's kind of a good thing, finding that other people do actually think these are worthwhile. Why? Because that … [Read more...]
Half Kneeling: It’ll Fix What Ails Ya.
May 9, 2018 by
Q: What Makes Everything Harder? A: Half Kneeling... Do it in half kneeling and it's harder. Shoulder Press Corner Press Cable Row Pallof Press Do them in half kneeling, go ahead, use less weight... Its harder. Why? In the words of Gray Cook: "Tall and Half Kneeling Positions force you to OWN your position" In My Words, "You Can't Half-Ass, Half-Kneeling" When in Half-Kneeling it's really tough to hide your weaknesses with NO LOAD. Add even minimal loads and there's no denying it. Half-Kneeling is an Inherently Unstable Position. Yes, it tries to put you on your ass. Unless you align, activate, brace and move with solid, effective … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: Pallof Press
February 9, 2018 by
Core, Core, Core, You need it, preferably LOTS of it. But just having ABZZZ isn't enough. You need a core that actually works. A core that STOPS, instead of creates or allows movement through the lumbar spine. The "core" must create, as Dr. Stu McGill puts it, "Super Stiffness" *this in NOT an ED commercial...But his lab did do this study. So sit-ups, crunches, Russian twists, these things, all out. And "Anti- Core", exercises that "BRACE" the spine against movement is all in.... Ribcage Down, Hips in Neutral: The Cylinder Position Here's the short: Use your "core" to create a stable platform not your lower back. Jamming your L4, L5 and … [Read more...]
You Should Do This: McGill Side Plank With Band
November 3, 2015 by
Planks are really good for you. IF you do them correctly they can help teach and train a few very important concepts.. 1. Pillar Strength/ Bracing 2. True "Core" Activation 3. Core Endurance Abzzz 101: The "core" isn't just meant to look all awesome on the beach with your bros when your tan is banging and you're trying to pick up bitches.... bro... It's also supposed to stabilize your spine and protect you from hoop, compressive and shear forces. You know, keep you from breaking the first time you pick up a kid, have to carry groceries, or push a car out of a snow rut...<-----all of these are secondary to the more bro(ish) use listed above, … [Read more...]
What the F* is the “Open Side”, the Value of Offset Loading
March 31, 2014 by
Common Email From An Online Client: "Roy, what the hell is the "open side". followed up with "Why do we do this?" Welp, Here's the Answer(s) The "Open Side"/ Offset Loading Explained: When we load traditionally, the weight in both hands, it's easier to balance the load. Because the load is spread across a greater "surface area" in that the entire shoulder girdle and core is activated about equally. The weight is more evenly distributed across the hips. Basically, the pull on the system is more "even" left to right and because most motion occurs in the saggital plane (front to back) an even load means that less tension/ force has to be allocated to … [Read more...]
