Here are four simple tips to help you move better and feel good while exercising.
If you had a nagging feeling:
“I’m not sure if this is sketchy, am I doing this right? 🧐”
…then this is exactly the right thing for you!
Let’s dive in.
Keyword #1: “Keep your balance using your foot.”
This will help you avoid buckling your knees inward, especially during squats and lunges.
As you squat or lunge (forefoot only when lunging), focus on maintaining even pressure between your heel, the base of your big toe, and the base of your pinky toe.
The goal is to help you turn outwards at the hip, without abovedo it.
Keyword #2: “Slam the car door”
This will help you keep your spine in a good position when you go into a hinge or deadlift position.
Imagine your arms are full of groceries and you have to slam the car door with the seat of your pants.
The goal is to move your hips back, instead of rounding your back down.
Note: Some flexion/extension of the spine is safe and normal! This is when we have excessive movement at one point.
Keyword #3: “Put your shoes through the floor”
This will help you stay strong through your spine and avoid over-exercising bulge when standing up from a hinge position.
Imagine pressing the soles of your shoes through the ground so hard that they actually leave a mark.
The goal is to stand high instead of bow back.
Keyword #4: “Imagine there are strings attached to your elbows.”
This helps you avoid putting too much pressure on the front of your shoulder and is great for horizontal rows and presses.
Imagine there are two cords attached to your elbows and someone standing behind you gently pulling them back and around your torso.
The goal is to get your shoulder blades moving in sync with the movement around your ribcage.
And there you have it! Four quick tips to help you move safely.
And one last point: there is far too much fear about the exercise technique on the Internet.
Our bodies are all built a little differently and there are many variations of good exercise.
You don’t have to move exactly like the person you see on the internet for it to be safe and effective. ❤️
I hope this helps you get some ideas and gets you moving! 🙌
– Coach Matt
P.S Wish you could ask a trainer a question? Well, now you can! As an experiment, I created a video Ask! furnished. You can submit a question to be answered by a coach. Listen
