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Why the leg press humbles the squat as a quad builder: - Back supported, no bracing, no wobbling about like a newborn giraffe - Deeper, more consistent knee bend, straight into the quad - The quad taps out first, not your lower back - Real failure with a fraction... show more

Sama Hoole

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29,299 views • 1 month ago •via X (Twitter)

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RDL at 70kg today. Nothing crazy, I've lifted more before. But no belt. No straps. First time ever. That's the part I'm happy about. Especially with my cranky lower back history. All the core and grip work finally paying off🥹 In my last video, where I broke down the hinge, some pushback showed up in the replies. Light weight is easy to make look clean. Fair. So here it is. Same lift, heavy for me. Yet the same control as always. Nothing about the pattern changed. Hips still travel back, spine stays long, the bar follows my legs because my hips moved, not because I bent toward the floor. Heavy weight doesn't break a good hinge, it just exposes a bad one. If the load rounds your back or your hands start pulling the bar up, you're not ready for that number yet. Simple. And it works the other way too. Never learned to hinge? Going light won't save you. Your lower back takes it at 10kg the same as it does at 70. You just feel it a bit later. Sort the pattern first. Then load it.

RDL at 70kg today. Nothing crazy, I've lifted more before. But no belt. No straps. First time ever. That's the part I'm happy about. Especially with my cranky lower back history. All the core and grip work finally paying off🥹 In my last video, where I broke down the hinge, some pushback showed up in the replies. Light weight is easy to make look clean. Fair. So here it is. Same lift, heavy for me. Yet the same control as always. Nothing about the pattern changed. Hips still travel back, spine stays long, the bar follows my legs because my hips moved, not because I bent toward the floor. Heavy weight doesn't break a good hinge, it just exposes a bad one. If the load rounds your back or your hands start pulling the bar up, you're not ready for that number yet. Simple. And it works the other way too. Never learned to hinge? Going light won't save you. Your lower back takes it at 10kg the same as it does at 70. You just feel it a bit later. Sort the pattern first. Then load it.

Dr Neha Chawla || FreeGym

17,831 views • 1 month ago

The single-leg RDL is a seriously underrated exercise for single-leg strength, hamstring resilience, and real hip stability. But it also humbles you. If your balance falls apart the moment you send your hips back, the issue is not balance. It means your glutes and hamstrings aren't controlling the hip, so your body goes looking for stability everywhere else. That’s why you wobble. Focus on these: - Tripod foot. Weight spread across big toe, little toe, and heel. Steady base, steady everything above it. - Slight, fixed knee bend. A small bend in the standing knee, held the whole rep. Hinge, not squat. - Straight rear leg. Keep it long and in line with your torso so it moves as one with you. - Level pelvis. Both hip bones facing the floor. Let it rotate open and your glute medius quits. Drive the hip straight back, feel the hamstring lengthen and take the load, then stand tall. If you get that right, the balance will be sorted.

The single-leg RDL is a seriously underrated exercise for single-leg strength, hamstring resilience, and real hip stability. But it also humbles you. If your balance falls apart the moment you send your hips back, the issue is not balance. It means your glutes and hamstrings aren't controlling the hip, so your body goes looking for stability everywhere else. That’s why you wobble. Focus on these: - Tripod foot. Weight spread across big toe, little toe, and heel. Steady base, steady everything above it. - Slight, fixed knee bend. A small bend in the standing knee, held the whole rep. Hinge, not squat. - Straight rear leg. Keep it long and in line with your torso so it moves as one with you. - Level pelvis. Both hip bones facing the floor. Let it rotate open and your glute medius quits. Drive the hip straight back, feel the hamstring lengthen and take the load, then stand tall. If you get that right, the balance will be sorted.

Dr Neha Chawla || FreeGym

39,271 views • 1 month ago

This exercise straightens our postures like no other. T3 Raises will pull your shoulder blades down naturally and give your upper back some much-needed support. I've never met somebody with pain or posture problems who could easily lift a weight above the ear. 🎯Twice a week Form: - One leg is forward, the same side as the arm holding the weight. - Keep your back straight by pushing your hips back and arching your back. - Hold your working arm at 90 degrees relative to your torso. - Slide your shoulder blade toward your spine. - Lift your arm above your ear. - Lower back to the 90-degree position, and repeat. Watch out for: - Rounding your back. - Sliding your shoulder blade up toward your neck instead of back toward your spine as compensation for weak rhomboids. - Bending your elbow when you lift as compensation for weak lower traps. - Not lifting the weight above your ear as many lack the strength and mobility to do so. Film yourself if you're not sure. // I learned this exercise from the great strength coach Charles Poliquin in 2010, and it's been a game changer for my clients and me ever since. Do your T3 Raises every week, and watch how your posture changes before your eyes.

This exercise straightens our postures like no other. T3 Raises will pull your shoulder blades down naturally and give your upper back some much-needed support. I've never met somebody with pain or posture problems who could easily lift a weight above the ear. 🎯Twice a week Form: - One leg is forward, the same side as the arm holding the weight. - Keep your back straight by pushing your hips back and arching your back. - Hold your working arm at 90 degrees relative to your torso. - Slide your shoulder blade toward your spine. - Lift your arm above your ear. - Lower back to the 90-degree position, and repeat. Watch out for: - Rounding your back. - Sliding your shoulder blade up toward your neck instead of back toward your spine as compensation for weak rhomboids. - Bending your elbow when you lift as compensation for weak lower traps. - Not lifting the weight above your ear as many lack the strength and mobility to do so. Film yourself if you're not sure. // I learned this exercise from the great strength coach Charles Poliquin in 2010, and it's been a game changer for my clients and me ever since. Do your T3 Raises every week, and watch how your posture changes before your eyes.

Alex Bernier

411,044 views • 2 years ago

I’ll show you EXACTLY how to shave weight off your leg press. Ain’t good for your ego…but great for quad development. 1) Lowest foot stance you can handle while maintaining good foot pressure and experiencing no knee pain. 2) Control your eccentrics and don’t divebomb into the bottom. 3) Go as DEEP as you possibly can for what your anthropometry allows (stay within your active range of motion) 4) No locking out at the top…continuous, fluid reps bullying the quads into submission. Leg press is ELITE when done right!

I’ll show you EXACTLY how to shave weight off your leg press. Ain’t good for your ego…but great for quad development. 1) Lowest foot stance you can handle while maintaining good foot pressure and experiencing no knee pain. 2) Control your eccentrics and don’t divebomb into the bottom. 3) Go as DEEP as you possibly can for what your anthropometry allows (stay within your active range of motion) 4) No locking out at the top…continuous, fluid reps bullying the quads into submission. Leg press is ELITE when done right!

Francis Melia

31,994 views • 6 months ago

Leg Press is the other most-commonly-done-poorly exercise I see at the gym. Here's what I do to grow the quads (leg day brought to you by Maison du Coq): - Lower the weight. Probably a lot. If you can do 10 plates/side, your form *likely* sucks - Feet LOW of platform. We want most of the bend/tension to be in the knee/quad, rather than just the hip/glute - If applicable, make your seat is leaned back - Go as far down/deep as possible. Might have to improve hip and ankle mobility to get the most out of it here. It's OK if your knees go in front of your toes. That whole thing is a myth - You can use straps to hold onto the handles, and pull like no tomorrow - CFRT, smooth and controlled on the way down, explosive and controlled on the way up Congrats. You're now one of the 0.001% of people who do this exercise well!

Leg Press is the other most-commonly-done-poorly exercise I see at the gym. Here's what I do to grow the quads (leg day brought to you by Maison du Coq): - Lower the weight. Probably a lot. If you can do 10 plates/side, your form likely sucks - Feet LOW of platform. We want most of the bend/tension to be in the knee/quad, rather than just the hip/glute - If applicable, make your seat is leaned back - Go as far down/deep as possible. Might have to improve hip and ankle mobility to get the most out of it here. It's OK if your knees go in front of your toes. That whole thing is a myth - You can use straps to hold onto the handles, and pull like no tomorrow - CFRT, smooth and controlled on the way down, explosive and controlled on the way up Congrats. You're now one of the 0.001% of people who do this exercise well!

MM

1,357,485 views • 8 months ago

Heavy RDLs🚂 Working with 500x9 here These are another exercise you can never really be too strong on. I keep them in rotation as a main accessory for carryover to both squat AND deadlift. A few coaching cues👇 ✅Hinge back at the hips FIRST. This loads the glutes- Many lifters mess this up by hinging at the waist instead, turning it into purely a low back exercise. ✅Keep chin tucked. This helps create a neutral spine which again, is key for loading the glutes ✅Allow a slight knee bend as you bring the bar down to allow the hips to go back further. ✅Descend until you feel the load fully in your glutes, then push the hips forward and stand back up. Bookmark this and share it out if you found this helpful!

Heavy RDLs🚂 Working with 500x9 here These are another exercise you can never really be too strong on. I keep them in rotation as a main accessory for carryover to both squat AND deadlift. A few coaching cues👇 ✅Hinge back at the hips FIRST. This loads the glutes- Many lifters mess this up by hinging at the waist instead, turning it into purely a low back exercise. ✅Keep chin tucked. This helps create a neutral spine which again, is key for loading the glutes ✅Allow a slight knee bend as you bring the bar down to allow the hips to go back further. ✅Descend until you feel the load fully in your glutes, then push the hips forward and stand back up. Bookmark this and share it out if you found this helpful!

Jeromy Bryk | Strength+Physique Coach💯

15,882 views • 7 months ago

Lower body mechanics to throw 95 mph. There are four things about the lower body that I wish I knew when I was a 16 year old throwing 78 miles an hour and trying to throw 90 miles an hour and beyond. The first is the leg lift and how well you're able to start creating momentum toward the target. One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they need to fall forward as soon as they lift their leg to create drift. What worked for me was coming to a balance point first and then starting to shift my weight from there. That's still a form of drift, and you see a lot of Japanese pitchers do this, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The second component is the back leg and how it creates linear momentum toward the target. One of the biggest mistakes I made was diving too much into the quad. I'd get onto my toes and sink into my quad, which led to less power and actually made rotating much harder. Another mistake I made was squatting as deep as possible into the back leg, almost like a pistol squat. What actually helped me was simply dropping down as quickly as possible. I let gravity pull me down. If you've created enough drift, even just a slight drift, that drop will create linear momentum down the mound. The third component is getting the pelvis to rotate into foot plant. The biggest thing here is matching your pelvis plane of rotation and making sure the pelvis rotates down into foot plant rather than rotating upward. One of my favorite cues for this is to slam the knee down or get onto your shoelaces. The last component is simple. It's the lead leg block. You're trying to block all of the momentum you've created like your life depends on it. For me, I tried to extend as high as I could. That actually helped my pelvis continue to rotate because as the front leg extends, the pelvis gets more open. Those are the four things I wish I knew about the lower body when I was trying to gain pitching velocity.

Lower body mechanics to throw 95 mph. There are four things about the lower body that I wish I knew when I was a 16 year old throwing 78 miles an hour and trying to throw 90 miles an hour and beyond. The first is the leg lift and how well you're able to start creating momentum toward the target. One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they need to fall forward as soon as they lift their leg to create drift. What worked for me was coming to a balance point first and then starting to shift my weight from there. That's still a form of drift, and you see a lot of Japanese pitchers do this, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The second component is the back leg and how it creates linear momentum toward the target. One of the biggest mistakes I made was diving too much into the quad. I'd get onto my toes and sink into my quad, which led to less power and actually made rotating much harder. Another mistake I made was squatting as deep as possible into the back leg, almost like a pistol squat. What actually helped me was simply dropping down as quickly as possible. I let gravity pull me down. If you've created enough drift, even just a slight drift, that drop will create linear momentum down the mound. The third component is getting the pelvis to rotate into foot plant. The biggest thing here is matching your pelvis plane of rotation and making sure the pelvis rotates down into foot plant rather than rotating upward. One of my favorite cues for this is to slam the knee down or get onto your shoelaces. The last component is simple. It's the lead leg block. You're trying to block all of the momentum you've created like your life depends on it. For me, I tried to extend as high as I could. That actually helped my pelvis continue to rotate because as the front leg extends, the pelvis gets more open. Those are the four things I wish I knew about the lower body when I was trying to gain pitching velocity.

Josh Gessner

37,676 views • 2 months ago

This Back Leg Adjustment Got Me to 98 mph. What’s the best way to load into your back leg? When I threw 95, I tried to get as deep and load into my back leg as much as possible. The adjustment that got me to 98 was speeding up the drop into my back leg. I started dropping into that back leg as quickly as possible. The quicker you go down, the higher you can jump. That’s scientifically proven. That’s what we want to emulate in the pitching delivery with the back leg. We want to relax into it. We want to drop into it. By doing that we’re putting force into the ground not only vertically but horizontally as well. So to recap, you’re shifting your weight and then relaxing into your back leg. That’s what creates that burst of energy going forward.

This Back Leg Adjustment Got Me to 98 mph. What’s the best way to load into your back leg? When I threw 95, I tried to get as deep and load into my back leg as much as possible. The adjustment that got me to 98 was speeding up the drop into my back leg. I started dropping into that back leg as quickly as possible. The quicker you go down, the higher you can jump. That’s scientifically proven. That’s what we want to emulate in the pitching delivery with the back leg. We want to relax into it. We want to drop into it. By doing that we’re putting force into the ground not only vertically but horizontally as well. So to recap, you’re shifting your weight and then relaxing into your back leg. That’s what creates that burst of energy going forward.

Josh Gessner

30,391 views • 5 months ago

Leg extensions have been a staple for my legs days for years. One of the few that will develop your Rectus Femoris (one of your quad muscle). But do not think of these as a 'finisher' and do heaps of fast reps with light weight. Slow and controlled High load 8 - 12 reps

Leg extensions have been a staple for my legs days for years. One of the few that will develop your Rectus Femoris (one of your quad muscle). But do not think of these as a 'finisher' and do heaps of fast reps with light weight. Slow and controlled High load 8 - 12 reps

Karl Matt Button │ Apex Fitness Adv.

70,647 views • 8 months ago

Cable Zercher Slant Board Squat This is a very cool exercise I have started doing with the following beneficial mechanics: - Slant Board (Heels Elevated): The incline shifts your center of gravity forward, allowing for greater knee flexion, a deeper squat for those with limited mobility and a more upright torso. This puts an extreme emphasis on the quadriceps, particularly the vastus medialis (VMO) or teardrop muscle. - Zercher Position: Holding the load in the crooks of your elbows forces your upper back and core to work harder to prevent the weight from pulling your torso forward. This is a very natural force pattern that has great carryover to real life applications. - Safety/Stability: The cable acts as a guide, making it easier to maintain your balance on the slant board while focusing entirely on the muscle contraction, good for those who want to push the legs with a bit more “safety” than a free weight squat. Unlike a barbell where the tension changes through the range of motion (getting "easier" at the top), the cable provides constant mechanical tension throughout the entire squat. It is an exceptional movement for building teardrop quad definition and improving knee stability, as well as core bracing. I like to do it 6 or so sets, high volume repetitions - pyramiding up from low weight to high with minimal rest times - focusing on achieving the most brutal lactic acid build up that I can in the legs, done at the start of a workout. Even though the weight isn’t hugely high on the cable machine, it still packs a massive punch. Try it out! Wearing Sol Dept. 100% cotton sol shorts and drinking Aurum ancient mineral salts in my water

Cable Zercher Slant Board Squat This is a very cool exercise I have started doing with the following beneficial mechanics: - Slant Board (Heels Elevated): The incline shifts your center of gravity forward, allowing for greater knee flexion, a deeper squat for those with limited mobility and a more upright torso. This puts an extreme emphasis on the quadriceps, particularly the vastus medialis (VMO) or teardrop muscle. - Zercher Position: Holding the load in the crooks of your elbows forces your upper back and core to work harder to prevent the weight from pulling your torso forward. This is a very natural force pattern that has great carryover to real life applications. - Safety/Stability: The cable acts as a guide, making it easier to maintain your balance on the slant board while focusing entirely on the muscle contraction, good for those who want to push the legs with a bit more “safety” than a free weight squat. Unlike a barbell where the tension changes through the range of motion (getting "easier" at the top), the cable provides constant mechanical tension throughout the entire squat. It is an exceptional movement for building teardrop quad definition and improving knee stability, as well as core bracing. I like to do it 6 or so sets, high volume repetitions - pyramiding up from low weight to high with minimal rest times - focusing on achieving the most brutal lactic acid build up that I can in the legs, done at the start of a workout. Even though the weight isn’t hugely high on the cable machine, it still packs a massive punch. Try it out! Wearing Sol Dept. 100% cotton sol shorts and drinking Aurum ancient mineral salts in my water

⚡️🌞 Sol Brah 🌞🐬

67,763 views • 7 months ago

Struggling to improve your bench press? Here’s how to identify and fix your weaknesses to increase your bench Let’s start with some form tips Big Arch - Retract your shoulder blades and drive your traps into bench by digging them into the pad. Maintain that tightness throughout the duration of the lift Bend the Bar - Act like you’re trying to bend the bar before you lift off. This causes you to externally rotate elbows to engage your lats which is crucial for a heavy bench Deep Breath - Take a deep breath before lift off and hold it in until you lift the bar where you’ll blow the air out on the way up Keep wrists straight - Wrap up your wrists tight with some wrist wraps. Don’t let wrists go limp on the concentric (lifting portion of the press). You’re losing poundage if you do Lower the bar with control - This is where lats and rear delts come into play. Nice and controlled descent and hit just below pecs Keep the arch - don’t let the bar sink into your chest and lose your arch. Keep air in and core tight the entire lift. This shortens the range of motion and allows you to stay tight and in control of the bar Leg drive and act like you’re standing up off the bench - As you explode up, drive your feet and push the bar back as if you’re trying to stand up off the bench. Weak off the chest? Likely an issue with pec strength. Here’s some exercises to help with that: -Pause Bench (1-3 seconds) -Wide Grip Bench -Incline Barbell Press -Spoto Presses -Weighted Dips -DB Flat/Incline Presses Weak with the lockout portion of the lift? Likely a weakness in your triceps or shoulders. Exercises to help with that: -Close Grip Bench -Board Presses -Pin Presses -Floor Presses -Skullcrushers -Weighted Dips -Military Presses -Slingshot Press -JM Presses -Overhead Presses Few other pieces of advice: 1) Get that back as big and strong as you can! Makes it a helluva lot easier to control the weight and add stability if our lats can support the weight. This will also carry over into your squat and deadlift. Row, row, and then row some more. Pullups/Pulldowns like crazy especially before you bench to get blood flowing back there which will help you feel and engage your lats before you lift. 2) Get a mini bicep pump from some curls before you press. Nothing heavy but having some blood in the biceps can help with tendonitis issues and help protect your joints. 3) Warm up the shoulders using a resistance band to get blood flowing to the rear delts and loosen up the shoulders. Take a foam roller and scrub the hell out of your lats as well to loosen up your shoulders.

Struggling to improve your bench press? Here’s how to identify and fix your weaknesses to increase your bench Let’s start with some form tips Big Arch - Retract your shoulder blades and drive your traps into bench by digging them into the pad. Maintain that tightness throughout the duration of the lift Bend the Bar - Act like you’re trying to bend the bar before you lift off. This causes you to externally rotate elbows to engage your lats which is crucial for a heavy bench Deep Breath - Take a deep breath before lift off and hold it in until you lift the bar where you’ll blow the air out on the way up Keep wrists straight - Wrap up your wrists tight with some wrist wraps. Don’t let wrists go limp on the concentric (lifting portion of the press). You’re losing poundage if you do Lower the bar with control - This is where lats and rear delts come into play. Nice and controlled descent and hit just below pecs Keep the arch - don’t let the bar sink into your chest and lose your arch. Keep air in and core tight the entire lift. This shortens the range of motion and allows you to stay tight and in control of the bar Leg drive and act like you’re standing up off the bench - As you explode up, drive your feet and push the bar back as if you’re trying to stand up off the bench. Weak off the chest? Likely an issue with pec strength. Here’s some exercises to help with that: -Pause Bench (1-3 seconds) -Wide Grip Bench -Incline Barbell Press -Spoto Presses -Weighted Dips -DB Flat/Incline Presses Weak with the lockout portion of the lift? Likely a weakness in your triceps or shoulders. Exercises to help with that: -Close Grip Bench -Board Presses -Pin Presses -Floor Presses -Skullcrushers -Weighted Dips -Military Presses -Slingshot Press -JM Presses -Overhead Presses Few other pieces of advice: 1) Get that back as big and strong as you can! Makes it a helluva lot easier to control the weight and add stability if our lats can support the weight. This will also carry over into your squat and deadlift. Row, row, and then row some more. Pullups/Pulldowns like crazy especially before you bench to get blood flowing back there which will help you feel and engage your lats before you lift. 2) Get a mini bicep pump from some curls before you press. Nothing heavy but having some blood in the biceps can help with tendonitis issues and help protect your joints. 3) Warm up the shoulders using a resistance band to get blood flowing to the rear delts and loosen up the shoulders. Take a foam roller and scrub the hell out of your lats as well to loosen up your shoulders.

Bailey Schober | Men’s Fitness & Nutrition Coach

26,038 views • 7 months ago

What’s the best way to load into your back leg. When I threw 95, I tried to get as deep as possible and load into my back leg as much as I could. The way I got to 98 was by speeding up the drop and getting into my back leg as quickly as possible. As I’m training to throw a hundred miles an hour, I’m starting to think about it differently. Instead of dropping into my back leg and getting as deep as possible, I like to feel more of an impulse. I’m putting force into the ground and the ground pushes back and gives me a burst of energy toward the plate. Studies have shown that the guys with the best impulse from their back leg throw the hardest. That means putting the most force into the ground for the longest amount of time. When you see this, you get guys like Shane McLanahan, Misiorowski, and Strider who look like they’re almost jumping down the mound. They’re really just putting so much force into the ground that it propels them forward. The key for me is I don’t want to put force into the ground by tensing up. I don’t want it to feel like a single leg squat. It should feel more like a max effort jump. The quicker I go down, the higher I’m able to jump. That lets me take better advantage of the stretch shortening cycle and improve my impulse.

What’s the best way to load into your back leg. When I threw 95, I tried to get as deep as possible and load into my back leg as much as I could. The way I got to 98 was by speeding up the drop and getting into my back leg as quickly as possible. As I’m training to throw a hundred miles an hour, I’m starting to think about it differently. Instead of dropping into my back leg and getting as deep as possible, I like to feel more of an impulse. I’m putting force into the ground and the ground pushes back and gives me a burst of energy toward the plate. Studies have shown that the guys with the best impulse from their back leg throw the hardest. That means putting the most force into the ground for the longest amount of time. When you see this, you get guys like Shane McLanahan, Misiorowski, and Strider who look like they’re almost jumping down the mound. They’re really just putting so much force into the ground that it propels them forward. The key for me is I don’t want to put force into the ground by tensing up. I don’t want it to feel like a single leg squat. It should feel more like a max effort jump. The quicker I go down, the higher I’m able to jump. That lets me take better advantage of the stretch shortening cycle and improve my impulse.

Josh Gessner

18,293 views • 6 months ago

PRIORITIZE SINGLE LEG STRENGTH❗️ Squat & Deadlift do NOT always have to be your main lower body lifts. There are plenty of ways to get strong. Here are some MAJOR benefits of prioritizing single leg lifts: 1️⃣ Exposes strength & balance inefficiencies & inequalities. Strong on 2 legs doesn’t mean strong on 1 leg.. Strong on each leg does mean strong on 2 legs. I’ve seen enough strong squats & deadlifts get buried with single leg exercises. Typically isn’t true the other way around. 2️⃣ Less back pain. Regardless of their technique, some athletes experience back pain from squatting & deadlifting. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SQUAT OR DEADLIFT TO GET STRONG… Single leg exercises can alleviate that pain. Less load, similar intensities, similar benefits. 3️⃣ “Sports are played on 1 leg.” I’ve heard this plenty of times and there is definitely a ton of truth to it. Movements are very single leg dependent. Sprinting, stopping, changing direction, jumping, landing. Single leg training can be the key to higher performance and less risk for injury. 4️⃣ Less learning curve. Beginners can immediately reap the rewards of single leg training because of how easy it is to implement. Something as simple as sitting on a bench and standing up using 1 leg is challenging for someone who has never done it. No bar on the back, no picking up weight, no teaching hip hinge.. Simple single leg training will buy athletes time to train while simultaneously improving squat and deadlift technique.

PRIORITIZE SINGLE LEG STRENGTH❗️ Squat & Deadlift do NOT always have to be your main lower body lifts. There are plenty of ways to get strong. Here are some MAJOR benefits of prioritizing single leg lifts: 1️⃣ Exposes strength & balance inefficiencies & inequalities. Strong on 2 legs doesn’t mean strong on 1 leg.. Strong on each leg does mean strong on 2 legs. I’ve seen enough strong squats & deadlifts get buried with single leg exercises. Typically isn’t true the other way around. 2️⃣ Less back pain. Regardless of their technique, some athletes experience back pain from squatting & deadlifting. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SQUAT OR DEADLIFT TO GET STRONG… Single leg exercises can alleviate that pain. Less load, similar intensities, similar benefits. 3️⃣ “Sports are played on 1 leg.” I’ve heard this plenty of times and there is definitely a ton of truth to it. Movements are very single leg dependent. Sprinting, stopping, changing direction, jumping, landing. Single leg training can be the key to higher performance and less risk for injury. 4️⃣ Less learning curve. Beginners can immediately reap the rewards of single leg training because of how easy it is to implement. Something as simple as sitting on a bench and standing up using 1 leg is challenging for someone who has never done it. No bar on the back, no picking up weight, no teaching hip hinge.. Simple single leg training will buy athletes time to train while simultaneously improving squat and deadlift technique.

Tim Cortazzo

56,563 views • 1 year ago

This stretch should be mandatory for people who sit at desks. It's called a T-Spine Extension. As we get older or if we sit for long periods of time our thoracic spine becomes less mobile. This can cause neck, shoulder, and lower back pain as well as a hunched over croissant type of posture with the body. The T-spine extension helps you stretch your lats and upper back to reverse age or sitting related mobility issues. How to do it: 1. Make sure you're in full elbow flexion in the bottom position. 2. Make a double chin so that you don't drift into forward head posture. 3. As you rock back, brace your core and focus on extending through the upper back and flexing through the shoulders, rather than just arching the lower back. Do this for 6-12 reps daily. Your back will thank you.

This stretch should be mandatory for people who sit at desks. It's called a T-Spine Extension. As we get older or if we sit for long periods of time our thoracic spine becomes less mobile. This can cause neck, shoulder, and lower back pain as well as a hunched over croissant type of posture with the body. The T-spine extension helps you stretch your lats and upper back to reverse age or sitting related mobility issues. How to do it: 1. Make sure you're in full elbow flexion in the bottom position. 2. Make a double chin so that you don't drift into forward head posture. 3. As you rock back, brace your core and focus on extending through the upper back and flexing through the shoulders, rather than just arching the lower back. Do this for 6-12 reps daily. Your back will thank you.

Dan Go

694,246 views • 3 years ago

I'm sorry for the pause but regularly scheduled programming, but notice what exercise these grannies are doing at 89/91? Yup, the deadlift. The fitness industry is full of snake oil, but one of the biggest deceptions is discouraging the basic compound movements of deadlift and squat. The number of times I've heard the deadlift isn't worth the risk/reward, how it's going to mess up your back etc. No, the deadlift is what makes your back strong as you age. The biggest change to your body is that you start losing muscle mass, your bones have less and less support, including your spine. The deadlift puts an iron rod of muscle around your spine. I've had aches and pains around my back for more than a decade---regular weekly deadlift and squat fixed all of it. I haven't had so much as a tweak since I started lifting heavy. Here is me at 41, lifting 375 at 165lbs. We saw Christopher Waller lift the same at 67. This is what will help you age comfortably, not some random new fitness trend. With all that, you need good form. Get a trainer, practice light over and over again, and only when it's comfortable should you start loading it up. Everyone's *good form* will look a bit different, e.g., my back looks rounder than some others', but this what is more comfortable than a straight back for me. Once you have that down, you'll have the best anti aging hack out there.

I'm sorry for the pause but regularly scheduled programming, but notice what exercise these grannies are doing at 89/91? Yup, the deadlift. The fitness industry is full of snake oil, but one of the biggest deceptions is discouraging the basic compound movements of deadlift and squat. The number of times I've heard the deadlift isn't worth the risk/reward, how it's going to mess up your back etc. No, the deadlift is what makes your back strong as you age. The biggest change to your body is that you start losing muscle mass, your bones have less and less support, including your spine. The deadlift puts an iron rod of muscle around your spine. I've had aches and pains around my back for more than a decade---regular weekly deadlift and squat fixed all of it. I haven't had so much as a tweak since I started lifting heavy. Here is me at 41, lifting 375 at 165lbs. We saw Christopher Waller lift the same at 67. This is what will help you age comfortably, not some random new fitness trend. With all that, you need good form. Get a trainer, practice light over and over again, and only when it's comfortable should you start loading it up. Everyone's good form will look a bit different, e.g., my back looks rounder than some others', but this what is more comfortable than a straight back for me. Once you have that down, you'll have the best anti aging hack out there.

Alex Imas

218,710 views • 3 months ago

How does the Pelvis ACTUALLY rotate open in the throw? No different than the gait cycle, the pelvis swings open because Lateral Bend coupled with the lordosis of the Lumbar spine induces an axial torque on the Pelvis driving it in the opposite direction Focusing on “back leg tension” or vertical shin to better “fire the hips” is like looking at the wheels spinning on your car and assuming that must be what’s propelling it forward on the road The pelvis is rotated from above - the legs provide kinetic and potential energy and act as amplifiers of more proximal movement around the spine Trying to use the back leg to open your pelvis is like using the Flintstones car - go get yourself a real engine

How does the Pelvis ACTUALLY rotate open in the throw? No different than the gait cycle, the pelvis swings open because Lateral Bend coupled with the lordosis of the Lumbar spine induces an axial torque on the Pelvis driving it in the opposite direction Focusing on “back leg tension” or vertical shin to better “fire the hips” is like looking at the wheels spinning on your car and assuming that must be what’s propelling it forward on the road The pelvis is rotated from above - the legs provide kinetic and potential energy and act as amplifiers of more proximal movement around the spine Trying to use the back leg to open your pelvis is like using the Flintstones car - go get yourself a real engine

Ben Baggett

18,235 views • 11 months ago

Let's talk about this lift, but let's do so in a way to move the strength and conditioning profession forward. There is too much weight on the bar. The athlete cannot do that much weight without the spotter pulling them up off the ground. We know these things to be true. Does this mean split squat should not have a 1RM? Or should not be 1RM (or rep tested)? No it does not. Split Squat should. It should just be assessed properly with no pulling up out of the bottom (just like a back squat should not, or spotters hands on a bench press). Love to see the safety with other spotters on each side, would just like to see less slamming knee on ground and needing to be pulled up out of the bottom. TL;DR - 1RM or rep max your split squat/reverse lunge, just make sure you don't let athletes slam their knee on the ground and make sure you don't pull the athlete up out of the bottom.

Let's talk about this lift, but let's do so in a way to move the strength and conditioning profession forward. There is too much weight on the bar. The athlete cannot do that much weight without the spotter pulling them up off the ground. We know these things to be true. Does this mean split squat should not have a 1RM? Or should not be 1RM (or rep tested)? No it does not. Split Squat should. It should just be assessed properly with no pulling up out of the bottom (just like a back squat should not, or spotters hands on a bench press). Love to see the safety with other spotters on each side, would just like to see less slamming knee on ground and needing to be pulled up out of the bottom. TL;DR - 1RM or rep max your split squat/reverse lunge, just make sure you don't let athletes slam their knee on the ground and make sure you don't pull the athlete up out of the bottom.

StrengthCoachNetwork

40,361 views • 8 months ago

These quick workouts are for people who want to improve their postures. The exercises target the weakened foundations pulling your body out of alignment. The sessions are short yet effective. Use the workouts to raise yourself to the next level before the new year starts. Instructions: - Do the exercises as a circuit, or one at a time if you find the circuit format too challenging. - Repeat the circuit or each exercise 3 to 4 times. - The sessions are light enough that you can done daily. Follow the sequence from Day 1 to Day 7 in order. - Ideally done at the start of your day or at the end. Day 1: Kneeling T-Spine Stretch (0:06) [ 10 reps/side ] - Start: Kneeling, one hand on the floor. - Slide your straight arm under your torso. - Reach as far forward as possible. - Keep your hips squared throughout the motion. Kneeling T-Spine Rotation (0:12) [10 reps/side] - Start: Kneeling, one hand on the floor, the other behind your head. - Rotate inward to point your elbow toward the floor. - Rotate outward to point your elbow toward the ceiling. - You may not have the mobility to go all the way up. Stop when you reach your max, and do not force it. Supine Around The World (0:18) [10-20 reps/side] - Start: Lying on your back, arms by your sides, palms toward the ceiling. - Rotate your arms back to have your hands pointing behind you. Day 2 Side-Lying Quad Stretch (0:27) [30-60 seconds/leg] - Start: Lying on your side, legs stacked. - Grab your ankle and pull your foot toward you. - Use a towel or elastic band if you cannot reach your ankle. Hip Bridge, Feet on Bench (0:37) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top of each rep] - Start: Lying on your back, feet on an elevated surface like a bench, couch, or chair. - Lift your hips off the floor to align your upper and lower bodies. - Adapt: If you cannot lift all the way, do the same exercise with your feet on the floor. - Adapt: If this variation is too easy, do one leg at a time. Dynamic Hip Extension Plank (0:49) [ 10-20 reps/leg] - Start: Push-up position. - Lift one leg as high as possible, keeping it straight. - Alternate legs. - Adapt: Rest on your forearms if you struggle to hold the push-up position. Day 3 Sky Reach (1:04) [10 reps/side] - Start: Deep Squat position - Rotate one arm to have your hand pointing toward the ceiling or as close as you can reach. - Do not force the range of motion if you block before that. - Alternate arms. - Adapt: Kneeling variation. Side-Lying External Rotation (1:21) [10 reps/arm] - Start: Lying on your side, one hand supports your head, and the other holds a dumbbell or any weighted object if you lack equipment. - Rotate the weight directly above your body while keeping your arm locked to your torso. Bent-Over Reverse Flys (1:28) [20 reps] Start: Bend forward, arms hanging down. Ensure your back is straight and your hips are held high. Lift your arms to shoulder level and keep them straight. Adapt: Add weights if bodyweight is too easy. Day 4 Deep Squat (1:36) [10 reps] - Start: Feet slightly wider than hips apart. Inhale first, then hold it in. - Lead the motion by sliding your knees forward and letting your hips naturally fold. - Go as low as your body allows, then push back up. - Exhale on the way up. - Adapt: Hold onto something stable to help you go lower. Hip Thrust (1:44) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top of each rep] - Start: Both feet on the ground, shoulders on the edge of a bench or couch, hips down. - Lift your hips to align your lower and upper bodies, and hold. Side Bridge (1:57) [10 reps/side] - Start: Side Plank position, legs stacked. - Lift your hips off the floor and hold when you reach the top. - Ensure your head stays aligned with your shoulders and hips. Avoid bending it forward to make the motion easier. - Adapt: Bend the lower leg. Day 5 Wall Slides (2:23) [10 reps] - Start: Stand in front of a wall with your forearms and hands flat behind you. - Be as close as you can to the wall, but you can take a few steps forward if you lack the mobility to keep your arms flat. - Straighten your arms while keeping them flat against the wall. Y-Raises (2:29) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top] - Start: Lying on your stomach, arms in a Y position, thumbs toward the ceiling. - Lift your thumbs toward the ceiling and hold. - Lower back to the floor. T-Raises (2:41) [10 reps with a 3-second hold at the top] - Start: Lying on your stomach, arms in a T position, thumbs toward the ceiling. - Lift your arms toward the ceiling and hold. - Lower back to the floor. Day 6 Seated Toe Pointing (2:56) [10 reps] - Start: Sitting on the floor with your legs ahead of you, feet together. - Point your toes forward. - Point them toward you. Seated Ankle Rotations (3:02) [10 reps] - Start: Sitting on the floor with your legs ahead of you, feet apart. - Rotate your feet like a windshield wiper, going as deep as possible on either side. Reverse Plank (3:09) [Hold for 30-60 seconds] - Start: Ball of the feet on a step, heels hanging. You may hold on to a ramp or wall for added support. - Lower your heels as low as possible and hold at the bottom. - Lift your heels as high as possible. Day 7 Unilateral Chest Stretch (3:21) [30-60 seconds/arm] - Start: Place your hand flat against the wall at shoulder level. - Rotate your body in the opposite direction and hold. - Placing your hand higher than shoulder level increases the stretch. Cat-Cow Stretch (3:31) [10 reps] - Start: Hands and knees on the floor. - Round your lower back like a cat (pulling it toward the ceiling) and hold. - Push it down as much as possible and hold. Wide Leg Adductor Stretch (3:38) [30-60 seconds] - Start: Sit on the floor with your legs as wide as possible, hands right in front of you. - Hold the position. // Start your New Year's resolutions with these quick posture workouts. You'll build up the foundations needed to withstand 2024 and crush your goals. Have an excellent weekend!

These quick workouts are for people who want to improve their postures. The exercises target the weakened foundations pulling your body out of alignment. The sessions are short yet effective. Use the workouts to raise yourself to the next level before the new year starts. Instructions: - Do the exercises as a circuit, or one at a time if you find the circuit format too challenging. - Repeat the circuit or each exercise 3 to 4 times. - The sessions are light enough that you can done daily. Follow the sequence from Day 1 to Day 7 in order. - Ideally done at the start of your day or at the end. Day 1: Kneeling T-Spine Stretch (0:06) [ 10 reps/side ] - Start: Kneeling, one hand on the floor. - Slide your straight arm under your torso. - Reach as far forward as possible. - Keep your hips squared throughout the motion. Kneeling T-Spine Rotation (0:12) [10 reps/side] - Start: Kneeling, one hand on the floor, the other behind your head. - Rotate inward to point your elbow toward the floor. - Rotate outward to point your elbow toward the ceiling. - You may not have the mobility to go all the way up. Stop when you reach your max, and do not force it. Supine Around The World (0:18) [10-20 reps/side] - Start: Lying on your back, arms by your sides, palms toward the ceiling. - Rotate your arms back to have your hands pointing behind you. Day 2 Side-Lying Quad Stretch (0:27) [30-60 seconds/leg] - Start: Lying on your side, legs stacked. - Grab your ankle and pull your foot toward you. - Use a towel or elastic band if you cannot reach your ankle. Hip Bridge, Feet on Bench (0:37) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top of each rep] - Start: Lying on your back, feet on an elevated surface like a bench, couch, or chair. - Lift your hips off the floor to align your upper and lower bodies. - Adapt: If you cannot lift all the way, do the same exercise with your feet on the floor. - Adapt: If this variation is too easy, do one leg at a time. Dynamic Hip Extension Plank (0:49) [ 10-20 reps/leg] - Start: Push-up position. - Lift one leg as high as possible, keeping it straight. - Alternate legs. - Adapt: Rest on your forearms if you struggle to hold the push-up position. Day 3 Sky Reach (1:04) [10 reps/side] - Start: Deep Squat position - Rotate one arm to have your hand pointing toward the ceiling or as close as you can reach. - Do not force the range of motion if you block before that. - Alternate arms. - Adapt: Kneeling variation. Side-Lying External Rotation (1:21) [10 reps/arm] - Start: Lying on your side, one hand supports your head, and the other holds a dumbbell or any weighted object if you lack equipment. - Rotate the weight directly above your body while keeping your arm locked to your torso. Bent-Over Reverse Flys (1:28) [20 reps] Start: Bend forward, arms hanging down. Ensure your back is straight and your hips are held high. Lift your arms to shoulder level and keep them straight. Adapt: Add weights if bodyweight is too easy. Day 4 Deep Squat (1:36) [10 reps] - Start: Feet slightly wider than hips apart. Inhale first, then hold it in. - Lead the motion by sliding your knees forward and letting your hips naturally fold. - Go as low as your body allows, then push back up. - Exhale on the way up. - Adapt: Hold onto something stable to help you go lower. Hip Thrust (1:44) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top of each rep] - Start: Both feet on the ground, shoulders on the edge of a bench or couch, hips down. - Lift your hips to align your lower and upper bodies, and hold. Side Bridge (1:57) [10 reps/side] - Start: Side Plank position, legs stacked. - Lift your hips off the floor and hold when you reach the top. - Ensure your head stays aligned with your shoulders and hips. Avoid bending it forward to make the motion easier. - Adapt: Bend the lower leg. Day 5 Wall Slides (2:23) [10 reps] - Start: Stand in front of a wall with your forearms and hands flat behind you. - Be as close as you can to the wall, but you can take a few steps forward if you lack the mobility to keep your arms flat. - Straighten your arms while keeping them flat against the wall. Y-Raises (2:29) [10 reps with a 3s hold at the top] - Start: Lying on your stomach, arms in a Y position, thumbs toward the ceiling. - Lift your thumbs toward the ceiling and hold. - Lower back to the floor. T-Raises (2:41) [10 reps with a 3-second hold at the top] - Start: Lying on your stomach, arms in a T position, thumbs toward the ceiling. - Lift your arms toward the ceiling and hold. - Lower back to the floor. Day 6 Seated Toe Pointing (2:56) [10 reps] - Start: Sitting on the floor with your legs ahead of you, feet together. - Point your toes forward. - Point them toward you. Seated Ankle Rotations (3:02) [10 reps] - Start: Sitting on the floor with your legs ahead of you, feet apart. - Rotate your feet like a windshield wiper, going as deep as possible on either side. Reverse Plank (3:09) [Hold for 30-60 seconds] - Start: Ball of the feet on a step, heels hanging. You may hold on to a ramp or wall for added support. - Lower your heels as low as possible and hold at the bottom. - Lift your heels as high as possible. Day 7 Unilateral Chest Stretch (3:21) [30-60 seconds/arm] - Start: Place your hand flat against the wall at shoulder level. - Rotate your body in the opposite direction and hold. - Placing your hand higher than shoulder level increases the stretch. Cat-Cow Stretch (3:31) [10 reps] - Start: Hands and knees on the floor. - Round your lower back like a cat (pulling it toward the ceiling) and hold. - Push it down as much as possible and hold. Wide Leg Adductor Stretch (3:38) [30-60 seconds] - Start: Sit on the floor with your legs as wide as possible, hands right in front of you. - Hold the position. // Start your New Year's resolutions with these quick posture workouts. You'll build up the foundations needed to withstand 2024 and crush your goals. Have an excellent weekend!

Alex Bernier

380,762 views • 2 years ago