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❤️How To Improve Your Posture❤️


The Issue Behind Postural Pain

Bad posture is a common problem amongst a lot of people. I see it ALL THE TIME! In the gym, on the streets with the majority of people, I walk past. The problem I am referring to is the ‘lordic curve’ which will make it look like you sticking your bum and chest out and give you the appearance of a pot belly.

Some people are born with an over exaggerated curve to their lower back, for which there is no cure, just ways in which you can stop this affecting your training and daily life. For the rest of you out there, the most common reason for this occurring is:

1️⃣tight erectors (lower back muscles) 2️⃣tight hip flexors 3️⃣weak core muscles 4️⃣weak glute muscles.

The glutes are not just made up of the big lifters and prime movers for the squats, but a range of stabiliser muscles that pull the femur straight in the hip joint. Also, the type of core training needed does not get fulfilled with crunches which only work to aid torso flexion, instead of securing the pelvis that you would get from correct transverse abdominus (TVA) engagement.

Often it will be a tendency to ‘lift your chest’ when squatting or ‘engaging your back muscles’ when performing row type movements without thought of which muscles to engage and the overarched back it creates. Alternatively, it will come from overcorrecting the problem of a hunched back and rounded shoulders.

Now you know this, rather than making this faux pas, rather ensure you have a NEUTRAL spine when performing exercises and think about contracting your lats and rhomboids to keep your shoulder blades where they should be on all exercises. This will not only ensure you don’t increase your lordotic curve but actually increase the tension in the muscles you are trying to work, making it a better workout all round!

Although it may or may not be particularly aesthetically pleasing to see someone poking out their chest and bottom, the effect this can have on your training and lifestyle can be pretty large. For example, if you run and walk in this position with weak stabilisation around your hips, you will end up with a very sore back, as you are not in the correct postural position to take the impact of hitting the floor.

You will also feel it when you squat, deadlift and row as it will cause a great amount of pressure to be taken by your lower spine and surrounding muscles. Because of these weaknesses, certain muscles will tighten up and become very uncomfortable over time to overcompensate and adapt to your activities in the best and easiest way possible, giving you back, hip and knee ache. What you need to do is correct this fault before it becomes an issue.

Corrective measures are the same as preventative measures, so everyone should be doing these few simple things along with their workout to ensure a great posture and a better body.

Here's how to go about fixing the problem

1️⃣foam roll all around your hip joint (front, back and sides), glutes and hamstrings before every training session and a few times per week before bed 2️⃣do unilateral legwork to reduce hip swing and increase the stability of your hip and knee 3️⃣work your core out as completely as possible.

I am not saying use 50 different exercises 5 times per week, but just make sure you are engaging the correct muscles and pulling your belly button in as hard as you can to ensure a flat back and a better posture. This can even be done at our desk, where you sit up tall, draw in your belly button, squeeze your buttocks and hold your core position for 5 breaths. Repeat as and when you can a few times per day, use more breaths if it is too easy.


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PERSONAL TRAINING - GROUP FITNESS - NUTRITIONAL ADVICE - FAT LOSS - MUSCLE TONE - CORSE STRENGTH - POSTURE CORRECTION - CARDIO FITNESS

© 2016 LUKE MITCHELL PERSONAL TRAINER

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