After a deadlift accident many years ago I have fought a battle with my posture dominated by neck aches that have lasted for up to 3 days. Fixing my back and neck is all too serious for me past the point of obsession. And to regain control of my shoulder girdle the experts say to row. But I have never felt good after rows regardless of the variation. My shoulders and upper thoracic always felt pulled out of place. Which is why I row in the first place. A vicious circle. I have also tried Alexander technique, yoga, pilates, swimming, Starting Strength, HIT and super slow to no avail.
But I am enjoying the suspended/inverted row variation from Mike Boyle. When I start with the palms facing up towards the head and pull my shoulder blades naturally pull in and the collar bone is rotated up and back just like physio's advise. Then, when my arms are at 90 degrees, I turn the palms 180 degrees to face my feet and attempt to row the handles to my chest in the classic rowing movement.
It is the only time I can remember a row that has pulled my shoulders back instead of pulling them out of alignment. I even felt a slight neck ache starting that disappeared during the exercise. My neck feels stable.
11 out of 10 to Mike Boyle for a gym exercise that finally strengthened my upper thoracic and made my posture better. I hope it completely replaces the convoluted 13 exercise, 1 arm at a time dumbell raises I have been trying.
Sorry, can't find the page. It is buried somewhere on his strengthcoach site. Look for his suspension pull up /row videos but remember this is not the old palms pointing in style. It must start palms up and not change until the shoulders blades are locked in. Thank you Mike Boyle for a functional posture exercise. Will I finally get to throw away the nurofen?
PS: even if he is an "internet coach", I find Mike genuinely thinks about what an exercise is really doing and is not afraid to admit when he is wrong.
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