Tennis Ball Part 3: Upper Body
Your lower body should be loose as a goose right now. It’s time to move onto the upper body. If you haven’t done so already read Part 1 and Part 2, to find out all you need to know about trigger points and how to work them in your lower body. Part 2 also gives you some information on what to do before and after each trigger point session.Read them? Good, now we can move onto some tight and painful areas in the upper body.
If you want more information on how to find trigger points, and where they all are in your body, then check out this review, the trigger point therapy workbook.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Tennis Ball Part 2: Lower Body
As a general rule, when working, lifting and exercising we are stressing the same muscles and movements. This repeat stress can lead to overworked muscles and consequently tightness and trigger points. I don’t need to go through this again though, it’s all covered in Part 1. The lower body has many common trigger points. Most of us sit all day long, and then go to the gym and do the same things day in day out. We are going to look at some of the more common places where almost everyone is tight.
What Your Should Know Before
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Tennis Ball Part 1: A Tool You Never Knew You Had
Feeling sore, tight and fatigued? You’ve stretched until the cows came home but you really don’t fee any better. You’ve deloaded, done your recovery session, even taken a hot bath. You know what you need is some deep, hard, painful soft tissue work. Oh how nice a massage would be right now. The problem is not all of us have the time or the money to invest in some good soft tissue work. Want a cheap yet extremely effective way to get rid of your aches and pains? Go out to your backyard and steal your dogs tennis ball…with a little understanding and application, this little baby is going to become your new best friend.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Wide Grip Bench: Do You Need It?
Shoulder problems are common in the weightlifting circle. A lot of shoulder complaints come after Bench Pressing. Most injuries from weightlifting come from incorrect lifting. If you are having shoulder issues, check your grip, it might be too wide.
What Is A Wide Grip?
Wide grip bench press is classed for research reasons as anything over 1.5 times your biacromial width. The biacromial width is basically the length between both tips of your shoulders (the acromioclavicular joint is the little point your feel at the top of your shoulder). Any wider than that is classified as a wide grip bench press. Mehdi over at Strong Lifts suggests grip width is usually 55-65cm between thumbs depending on your build. A good cue is that forearms should be about perpendicular to the floor from all angles.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
The Psoas: Is It Killing Your Back?
If you don’t already read this fantastic blog and haven’t seen the recent guest post I did titled The Psoas: Is It Killing Your Back, head on over to Strong Lifts and check it out.
Popularity: 5% [?]
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Injury Prevention: The Ultimate Checklist
Nobody wants injuries. Whether you are an athlete, a weight lifter, a runner or someone trying to get fit, injuries suck. The good news is you can do a lot to prevent them. See how many of these points you can check off. Are you being safe in the gym?
1. Warm Up
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you need to warm up. I am going to start sounding like a broken record, mainly in the hope that if you read some of this stuff enough times, the importance may sink in. Even if you feel like you can jump straight into it, one day you won’t, and when that day comes, it will be painful. A good warm up will
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Carbs: The Truth Behind The Hatred
Low carb eating is in fashion. It’s not necessarily a bad fashion. Generally speaking the population is becoming more knowledgeable about good food choices, what is healthy and what is not. However, most of the time the knowledge of why things are healthy or good habits is simply not there. Carbs are getting a bad name, but not a lot of people really get why. They help your body function and are essential to the diet. You need them…just not too many.
A Bit of Background
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
High Versus Low: Clearing Up The Cardio Dilemma
After my recent article on how to increase your metabolism, there has been a fair bit of talk over which form of cardio is better. It isn’t so straightforward. Both forms have their advantages, and disadvantages. I can’t stress enough how much this industry jumps on fads and how important it is to keep an open mind when you are reading and discussing concepts.
It is generally accepted now that high intensity exercise will burn more calories and aid fat loss, and therefore is the right form to choose. It is true that training above your ‘fat burning zone’ will yield better results in that respect. But it’s not that simple, and in many cases, low intensity exercise will and should be prescribed to people.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Breakfast: Why And What To Eat
We all know that we should eat breakfast; it was rammed into us at a very young age. As someone participating in fitness, bodybuilding, lifting or any form of exercise, it is even more important. So why do so many people still skip this ultra important, potentially muscle building, energy giving, and awesome meal? Even if you aren’t hungry in the morning, forcing yourself to eat something is one of the most beneficial things you will be doing to your body all day.
Why You Should Eat Breakfast
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Healthy Knees: 10 Tips to Prevent Pain
Knee pain is one of the most common ailments people report when exercising. Everyone is putting their knee joint under stress regularly, especially those participating in exercise and lifting. The good news is, there are so many things you can, and should be doing to prevent it. Read on for some tips on how to keep your knees healthy and pain free (in no particular order).
1. Warm Up Correctly
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
-
Tight Hips?
Long term pain from shortened hip muscles can mean permanent hip, knee and lowback damage. Target the muscles involved with specific Stretch Away Pain exercises to reduce and eliminate hip pain. Muscle pain is due to muscle shortening.
-