Lats, traps, spinal erectors – read how gyms and members are making mistakes while training these large, strong muscles that impact overall health, posture, and support.
Last weekend I came across an article from a fitness influencer with the stunning title: “Does This Invention End Low Back Pain Forever?” I had mixed emotions as I began to read — sorry to see my side hustle fall, but grateful for an end to this terrible affliction. As I should have expected, the…
Throwing out my back while deadlifting used to be a once-a-year proposition. When I found the Starting Strength guide for deadlifting a decade ago, I was delighted to learn some thoughtful benchmarks for form. Instead of just grunting max weight off the floor, I had cues for how to set up my deadlift, such as:…
I used to work at a public relations firm where the leaders of each specialty (social media, crisis communications, etc.) had offices along the same hallway. You could open any door along this strip and find a communications pro able to pass along incredible insights in his or her area of expertise. For a mid-level…
Getting fit is a lifetime learning process. Like any trade, you improve over decades with study, experimentation, modification. Fitness is a hobby for smart people. I like to think that the way I evaluate and rework my exercise program, muscle by muscle, is similar to the way Tiger Woods is known for repeatedly engaging in…
I was lying on my back on the gym floor, deciding between crawling to the locker room or asking the staff to call an ambulance. I’d had acute low back attacks in the past – from doing bent over barbell rows, T-bar rows, and also from deadlifting, like in this case. But I’d never before…