Best Strength Training Tool Ever???

As I learn more about training, I am becoming more convinced about the importance of hip and thoracic spine mobility to getting stronger. You can check out the CrossFit Journal for some of Kelly Starrett’s take on this subject. You can also check out Mark’s Daily Apple for some great tips on both thoracic spine mobility and hip mobility. You can also check out Greg Everett’s excellent article on increasing shoulder mobility. These are great resources; however, these are solutions that you can apply for a few minutes, possibly an hour, a day. A stand-up desk can put your spine in the position it is meant to be in for hours a day. My solution was a hack so that I could see if it worked. I am sure there are prettier solutions; although, not many cheaper.

We all work hard on our technique to gain strength, mobility and protect our backs in class; however, when we are sitting at our desks all day, it’s like we are taking one step forward and two steps back. “When you’re sitting, you’re bearing all that weight through the pelvis and spine, and it puts the highest pressure on your back discs. Looking at MRIs, even sitting with perfect posture causes serious pressure on your back” says Dr. Andrew C, Hecht, co-chief of spinal surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Give your back a break and make the most of your training, all you have to do is stand up!

Final note, as with anything, practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. When standing at your new desk, very lightly tighten your abs and glutes to make sure your hips are neutral. Make sure that your knees are “soft locked,” Straight but not locked straight. This will be very similar to the top of the deadlift.