Great Core Exercise - Chop & Lift

Today we're reviewing a core exercise called the Chop & Lift. If you've ever chopped wood, you'll understand why this is an effective exercise. If this bothers your shoulder or back, stop and get evaluated by a health professional (someone like me who can eval soft tissue and joint function). The most common errors in this exercise are arching the back during the "lift" and shrugging the shoulders during the same movement. You should feel this working the front ab muscles (rectus abdominus) and the back/shoulder muscles. You may also perform this exercise with a partner, with each person grabbing one side of a band. As one person does the "chop" motion, the other does the "lift" and visa versa. Have fun!

Comment with any questions or to request exercises for any specific body part.

Quad Stretching

The Quadriceps muscle is often overlooked, but is actually the most common tight muscle of the lower extremity. This muscle is often involved in hamstring pulls, as excessive tension (meaning shortness) of this structure will overly lengthen the hamstrings causing a strain. This week I'm demonstrating a stretch for the dual functions of the quad (knee extensor and hip flexor). Common errors are arching of the back and stretching too aggressively (which will ironically make you tighter).