Sunday, January 13, 2013

Start the Year Off Safe!



With the New Year set to begin, everyone will be making promises to get in shape this year.  When you arrive at the gym, it'll take you about 10 seconds to look around and find someone performing an exercise incorrectly. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be you.  Before worrying about how much weight you can lift or how long you can go on the elliptical, make sure that your technique for each exercise is spot on.  If you use sloppy form, the chances for injury increases exponentially because you are not allowing your body to have the proper mechanical advantage over the weight or machine that you are utilizing.  Starting with this week’s blog, we will be shining the spotlight on various exercises and the common errors that should be avoided when performing them.  



This week’s exercise is the close grip upright row. 



This exercise is typically done using a barbell, a cambered bar, or even a cable apparatus.  The exercise begins with a closer than shoulder width overhand grip. Utilizing the deltoid (shoulder) muscles and the upper trapezius muscles, the weight is often pulled upward towards the chin with the elbows finishing pointed upwards.  However, performing this exercise this way can cause many shoulder and wrist injuries.  Typically, the hand placement and finishing position place a large amount of stress on the rotator cuff muscles and tendons of the shoulders by impinging (pinching) them within the shoulder joint. 


A Better Alternative 




A better alternative to this exercise is performing it with a wide overhand grip using a cambered bar or dumbbells.  Keeping the forearms pointed down throughout the movement; raise the weight until the elbows are parallel with the floor.  This prevents the impingement portion of the exercise by not compromising the shoulder joint and allowing the larger and stronger deltoid and trapezius muscles to perform the exercise.

If you have more questions about to get in shape fast, contact us at 301-624-0024 or sign-up at www.ValleyChiropracticRehab.com for a free consultation!

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4 S. McCain Dr., #8 

Frederick, MD 21703

301-624-0024 


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