Tuesday: Fitness Do’s (The Reverse Squat) A common mistake that is made is assuming that someone can get into position for their lift. Cueing someone during the squat can help their movement If they have the stabilization requirement and mobility for that movement. If they don’t then that same cue will not have the same […]…
Eliminate Knee Pain During Squats Knee and/or low-back pain are often due to poor lateral stability. Stability, as defined by Charlie Weingroff is, “Control in the presence of change.” Knees collapsing in during single leg exercises like pistol squats, running, or lunging may be a sign of poor lateral stability. Stability at the knee is […]…
Improving Ankle Mobility for the Squat The lower leg routine is a combination of five exercises to improve ankle flexibility. Ankle dorsiflexion lays the foundation for the squat. The first five points of performance for the squat all require good range of motion at the ankle… #1: Weight on Heels #2: Hips below Parallel #3: […]…
Stretch-to-Win® Core-Four Lower This sequence releases the core-musculature around the hips; which includes the gluteals, QL (low-back), deep hip-flexor (psoas), and lats. The Core-Four is the starting point and foundation for increasing both lower and upper body flexibility due to this muscle groups’ affect on all movement from core to extremity. Stretching from Core-to-Extremity Chris […]…
Quickly Improve Hip Flexibility for Squats Improving Hip Mobility for the Squat Improving hip mobility for the squat begins with joint-capsule range of motion. As Chris Frederick points out, “When full ROM in a joint is inhibited, then ROM in the muscle is also restricted, because muscles attach to bones and bones connect to other […]…
Improving Hip Mobility for Heavier Squats Increase your Squat Depth – Get Your Hips Below Parallel and Knees Out This sequence was inspired by Kevin Darby of the Canadian branch of the “Stretch-to-Win®” Institute (www.StretchtoWin.com). As a Fascial Stretch Therapy™ practitioner, one of the ‘go-to’ stretches used on the table is traction of the hip […]…
Exercises for Squat Mobility – Glute Stretch “There are over 25 muscles that cross the hip, so why does everyone stretch the muscle (hamstrings) that’s the most irritated? Your hamstrings will ‘release’ through hip traction and stretching the glutes, hip flexors and other surrounding muscles. Once you “open up” the surrounding muscles, it becomes much […]…
Adductor Stretch – Keep Your Knees-Out During Squats If your knees cave in during squats you may have tight adductors. The Adductors are an often-overlooked part of training. The adductor magnus plays an important part in hip extension in athletic movement and in postural balance. The adductors are often tight and influence the pelvic floor […]…
Hip-Flexor Stretch for the Squat & Tight Hips What’s the most important pre-workout stretch? – Why? Chris Frederick (co-author of the book Stretch-to-Win®) explains… “It is well known that tight hip flexors will neurologically weaken your glutes, which makes your back and hamstrings work harder and raises risk for injury during squats and overhead lifts.” “The […]…
This ‘hip-opener’ stretch is for the joint-capsule and outside hip. By freeing tight hips (joint-capsule) it will be easier to squat below parallel and keep your knees out. You can use it at any time – good pre or post-workout. Here is a video of the ‘hip-opener’ along with a low-back stretch… – Kevin Kula, […]…