I've got to admit, I'm shocked that everyone isn't getting some kind of soft tissue work. Some people even think it's BAD.
Now granted, I'm biased - I think I'm a soft tissue whore. Ok, maybe not a whore but at least an addict; foam rolls, ART, massage, I think it all has its place.
After working with Bill for the past couple of weeks, I'm even more convinced at how integral it is in a holistic training program. Watching someone's posture and movement improve almost instantaneously is pretty darn cool in my opinion.
Now, what I'm NOT saying is that soft-tissue work is the be-all, end-all of modalities. It has it's role, just like every other modality - stretching, mobility work, activation, prehab, strength training, etc.
It's just a component - but it's a big component. And if you're not using it to your advantage, you're missing out.
BTW, I've got a sweet little project I'm working on that covers a lot of different soft-tissue techniques; if you're not signed up for my newsletter, you may want to do that soon. Other than a subscription to my newsletter, it will be completely free.
Stay strong
MR
Showing posts with label Newsletter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newsletter. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Q&A with Geoff Neupert
Below is a Q&A question from Geoff's interview that we didn't receive in time to make the newsletter. If you want to post questions to our interviewees, make sure to send them in early!
Q: As an olympic lifter, it is taken for granted that you will go to the deepest squatting level possible, ie calves touching hamstrings. (Q) How do you feel about holding that position unloaded to rest, as is a popular pose in asia, instead of sitting as we westerners are notorious for?
...I have read some information that advises against this because of the levering effect the knees are subjected to in the bottom position. Of course I have also read articles that suggest that this is a great pose to regularly assume, and given that olympic lifters do get in this position while heavily loaded would suggest that it is safe.
A: I have two questions in response to your question:
"Why do you want to hold this position as those in Asia do--what is your expected outcome for doing so?"
Do you intend to assume this position in order to increase your OL mobility?
As an OL myself, I taught myself to transition from a PL style-squat to an OL squat by doing the very same thing you are suggesting, in a "grease-the-groove" style program (see Pavel's "Naked Warrior" for more info on GTG), so I think it's an outstanding idea. However, there are some major caveats here:
As OL's, we do not sit in the bottom position--we drop into it and explode out of it and under load. The governing rule of physiological adaptation is the SAID Principle--Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand. Which means you will ALWAYS get EXACTLY what you train for. So, if you want to be good at sitting in the hole, then sit in the hole for a long period of time. I personally don't want to be good at sitting in the hole--I want to be great at exploding out of the hole with as much weight as possible.
Upon closer inspection, position wise, the Asian "squat sit" is different from the OL Squat. The Asians sit with their tales tucked under them and their chests collapsed--EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of the position we need to maintain in the hole with weight over our heads or across our shoulders. Refering back to point number 1, if you practice this squat for extended periods of time, then it is very likely that this will interfere with your OL technique.
So, your best bet to increase your OL squat mobility is to do what I did--short, fatigue-free sessions of bodyweight squatting, concentrating on awareness in that position. Mike and I wrote an article for T-Nation awhile back, "Olympic v. Powerlifting Squats." Check out the "Prying" we discuss.
Q: As an olympic lifter, it is taken for granted that you will go to the deepest squatting level possible, ie calves touching hamstrings. (Q) How do you feel about holding that position unloaded to rest, as is a popular pose in asia, instead of sitting as we westerners are notorious for?
...I have read some information that advises against this because of the levering effect the knees are subjected to in the bottom position. Of course I have also read articles that suggest that this is a great pose to regularly assume, and given that olympic lifters do get in this position while heavily loaded would suggest that it is safe.
A: I have two questions in response to your question:
"Why do you want to hold this position as those in Asia do--what is your expected outcome for doing so?"
Do you intend to assume this position in order to increase your OL mobility?
As an OL myself, I taught myself to transition from a PL style-squat to an OL squat by doing the very same thing you are suggesting, in a "grease-the-groove" style program (see Pavel's "Naked Warrior" for more info on GTG), so I think it's an outstanding idea. However, there are some major caveats here:
As OL's, we do not sit in the bottom position--we drop into it and explode out of it and under load. The governing rule of physiological adaptation is the SAID Principle--Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand. Which means you will ALWAYS get EXACTLY what you train for. So, if you want to be good at sitting in the hole, then sit in the hole for a long period of time. I personally don't want to be good at sitting in the hole--I want to be great at exploding out of the hole with as much weight as possible.
Upon closer inspection, position wise, the Asian "squat sit" is different from the OL Squat. The Asians sit with their tales tucked under them and their chests collapsed--EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of the position we need to maintain in the hole with weight over our heads or across our shoulders. Refering back to point number 1, if you practice this squat for extended periods of time, then it is very likely that this will interfere with your OL technique.
So, your best bet to increase your OL squat mobility is to do what I did--short, fatigue-free sessions of bodyweight squatting, concentrating on awareness in that position. Mike and I wrote an article for T-Nation awhile back, "Olympic v. Powerlifting Squats." Check out the "Prying" we discuss.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Random thoughts...
Pretty busy this week, but here are some random thoughts:
- My lovely wife Jess had foot surgery yesterday. Please keep her in your thoughts.
- I'm getting prepped for the Aussie seminars and things are going well. Two six hour days back-to-back is going to kick my ass though!
- Leaving Australia at noon on a Tuesday and getting back to Indianapolis at 6 pm on Tuesday is the closest thing I'll ever get to time travel.
- My upcoming newsletter interview with Michael Boyle is going to be excellent. If you aren't already signed up, go to my home page and do so now!
- Tony Gentilcore and Eric Cressey both had articles go up at T-Nation in the past week, and both are quite good. Check them out.
- It's fitting that Eric and Tony's article go up in the same week; the only thing more appropriate would be if they went up on the same day, since they do everything else together!
- Front squatting for months at a time makes for a great front squat. Not so great for the back squat, though.
- I'm tired of the cold.
That's all; have a great day!
Stay strong
MR
- My lovely wife Jess had foot surgery yesterday. Please keep her in your thoughts.
- I'm getting prepped for the Aussie seminars and things are going well. Two six hour days back-to-back is going to kick my ass though!
- Leaving Australia at noon on a Tuesday and getting back to Indianapolis at 6 pm on Tuesday is the closest thing I'll ever get to time travel.
- My upcoming newsletter interview with Michael Boyle is going to be excellent. If you aren't already signed up, go to my home page and do so now!
- Tony Gentilcore and Eric Cressey both had articles go up at T-Nation in the past week, and both are quite good. Check them out.
- It's fitting that Eric and Tony's article go up in the same week; the only thing more appropriate would be if they went up on the same day, since they do everything else together!
- Front squatting for months at a time makes for a great front squat. Not so great for the back squat, though.
- I'm tired of the cold.
That's all; have a great day!
Stay strong
MR
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!
Just wanted to wish a belated Happy New Year to all my blog readers!
If for some reason you aren't already signed up for my newsletter, you should really check out the most recent edition. We've got an exclusive interview with nutrition expert Chris Mohr, and a fat/weight loss program by Washington DC based personal trainer Josef Brandenburg.
Check the newsletter out here:
January 1st Newsletter
If you like the newsletter, be sure to visit my home page and sign up.
Stay strong
MR
If for some reason you aren't already signed up for my newsletter, you should really check out the most recent edition. We've got an exclusive interview with nutrition expert Chris Mohr, and a fat/weight loss program by Washington DC based personal trainer Josef Brandenburg.
Check the newsletter out here:
January 1st Newsletter
If you like the newsletter, be sure to visit my home page and sign up.
Stay strong
MR
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