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Tag: feet

A Firm Foundation: Focusing on the Feet

December 27, 2016 Steven Low Uncategorized

THIS ARTICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR AN UPDATE IN JUN 2017   A Firm Foundation: Focusing on the Feet Table of Contents I. Introduction Structure II. The Anatomical Architecture III. Arch Support IV. How the bones, ligaments, and muscles work together Foot Dysfunctions V. Pes planus / Flat feet / Fallen

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My 2 favorite exercises that help with 90-95% of b My 2 favorite exercises that help with 90-95% of back pain. Part 1/2 
The reverse hyperextension is one of my 2 go-to exercises for back pain (specifically, helps the most with flexion-based low back pain). This exercise is similar to the back extension, but it is not even 10% as good as reverse hyperextensions for back pain in my experience.
One study suggested reverse hypers yield greater hip range of motion but less lumbar range of motion than back extensions. This would make sense from improving hips and back strength but providing stability to the injured area. 
There is a specific reverse hyperextension machine, but it's only in a few gyms. Here's some substitutes in order to perform it. These include:
1. Using a GHD machine like in my video
2. Using a sturdy table or counter at home
3. Using a ledge, truck, or otherwise raised surface outside where you can hang onto it
4. Sometimes using a bed can work
If the hips are uncomfortable you can put a cushion or pillow underneath them.
The biggest thing with most of these alternatives are 3 different points.
1. The legs must come down to vertical at the bottom and go at least parallel at the top. If you don't get this much range of motion it's less effective. Some alternative videos on Insta and Youtube show using benches at the gym to do it, but the range of motion is limited and it does not help with back strengthening or back pain as effectively.
2. You do not have to go way above parallel with the movement at the top. Going higher can aggravate the issue with people with back pain, so parallel or slightly above is good enough.
3. I like building up the reps from the 5-10 range into the 20-30 range for rehab. Then as you're healthy try to maintain in the 20-30 range with a DB or ankle weights or 30-50 if you don't have any weights. The high rep endurance tends to drastically reduce the risk of any type of reinjury from my experience.
Next post will be my 2nd exercise for back pain.
Split routines for beginners tend to be sub-optima Split routines for beginners tend to be sub-optimal. Generally speaking, full body routines are the best but sometimes 2 day splits like upper/lower, push/pull, or straight arm/bent arm can be ok.
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3 day or more splits like push/pull/legs or bodybuilding bro splints like chest and tris/back and biceps/shoulders/legs/core tend to be very bad for progress for strength and hypertrophy.
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#overcominggravity #bodyweightstrengthtraining #fitness #fitnessjourney #fitnessmotivation #fitnessgoals #calisthenics  #calisthenicsworkout #gymnastics #gymnastic #gymnasticstraining #climbing #strength #strengthtraining #strengthandconditioning #parkour #exercise #training #muscle #crosstraining #conditioning  #workout #rockclimbing #crossfit #fitnessmotivation #movement #movementculture #technique #muscleup #muscleups
**Repost since other vid cut off** 4 main tips fo **Repost since other vid cut off**
4 main tips for rings muscle ups
1. Getting the false grip right - the bone at the base of the hand on the pinky side should sit at the bottom of the ring and the hand should go up on the side. This minimizes a greater angle of the wrist which should reduce most discomfort and pain with false grip.
2. False grip pullup - the forearms should stay parallel to each other and be inside shoulder width while you do a pullup to the hands at nipple height. Ideally, around nipple width. This keeps the elbows from going far out which makes the transition virtually impossible for most. 
3. The transition phase (elbows) - can be thought of as the last part of the range of motion of a horizontal row. The hands go from the nipples with a strong rowing motion of the elbows driving back behind you in order to get the hands underneath the armpits for the dip. Driving the elbows back is what allows you to get the additional range of motion to have the hands go below the nipple line.
4. The transition phase (head and shoulders) - right when you start rowing your elbows backward as strong as possible, you want to shoot your head and shoulders forward up through the straps of the rings. This assists with the elbow drive backward to bring the hands underneath the armpits for the dip.
Finally, finish the dip and you have a muscle up!
#overcominggravity #bodyweightstrengthtraining #fitness #fitnessjourney #fitnessmotivation #fitnessgoals #calisthenics  #calisthenicsworkout #gymnastics #gymnastic #gymnasticstraining #climbing #strength #strengthtraining #strengthandconditioning #parkour #exercise #training #muscle #crosstraining #conditioning  #workout #rockclimbing #crossfit #fitnessmotivation #movement #movementculture #technique #muscleup #muscleups
This is my #1 tip for getting out of head forward This is my #1 tip for getting out of head forward and shoulders rounded posture. 
Contrary to popular belief, you technically don't need strengthening exercises to help with the rounding of the shoulders and forward head. In most cases, just reducing the rounding of the thoracic spine from an excessive amount to normal can help with the shoulders and neck.
Obviously, you can still do posture and strengthening exercises, but this is a pretty quick fix that can help most people reduce the tension and discomfort in the neck and shoulders right away.
This tip along with many others is included in Overcoming Poor Posture that I co-authored with @gmbfitness
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How to program for advanced isometric holds after How to program for advanced isometric holds after a plateau Part 3/3
One of the biggest questions that I encounter from people is how to progress with the advanced isometrics after hitting a plateau. Usually the isometrics involved are any combination of these:
Planche, Back Lever, Front Lever, Iron Cross, Flag, and V-sit and manna
This post goes over some of the common primary, secondary/assistance and supplementary exercises for the iron cross, flag, and V-sit/manna.
You can use these exercises to provide a sufficient strength and hypertrophy stimulus to break through a plateau in your holds times or strength limit. These exercises are not exclusive - if you have others that seem to work well or others have recommended you can try them too.
Hey guys thanks for the support and getting to 5k Hey guys thanks for the support and getting to 5k followers! 
I'll be continuing to post training, technique, and exercise advice every week as well as have regular giveaways every 1k followers. 
If you win you can choose to have any 1 of my books (physical or digital version) including the newly released e-book Overcoming Gravity Advanced Programming.
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If you are interested in any of my books or want to support me, click on the linktree in my profile.
How to program for advanced isometric holds after How to program for advanced isometric holds after a plateau Part 2/3
One of the biggest questions that I encounter from people is how to progress with the advanced isometrics after hitting a plateau. Usually the isometrics involved are any combination of these:
Planche, Back Lever, Front Lever, Iron Cross, Flag, and V-sit and manna
This post goes over some of the common primary, secondary/assistance and supplementary exercises for the planche, back lever, and front lever.
You can use these exercises to provide a sufficient strength and hypertrophy stimulus to break through a plateau in your holds times or strength limit
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#overcominggravity #bodyweightstrengthtraining #fitness #calisthenics  #calisthenicsworkout #gymnastics #gymnasticstrengthtraining #climbing #strength #strengthtraining #strengthandconditioning #parkour #exercise #training #muscle #crosstraining #conditioning  #workout #rockclimbing #crossfit #fitnessmotivation #fit #frontlever #backlever #planche #ironcross #flag #humanflag #vsit #manna
How to program for advanced isometric holds after How to program for advanced isometric holds after a plateau Part 1/3
One of the biggest questions that I encounter from people is how to progress with the advanced isometrics after hitting a plateau. Usually the isometrics involved are any combination of these:
Planche, Back Lever, Front Lever, Iron Cross, Flag, and V-sit and manna
Generally, the first step is to identify the potential weaknesses in your routine and physique. This can include a lack of musculature common to those who would be able to perform the strength hold. It can also be potential too few or too many exercises in a routine or the need for a deload. 
Spotting weaknesses can be tough so if you're still a bit clueless on that you can always ask for help. In general, this post is going to cover the basics on focusing on shoring up potential weaknesses that can be focused on.
The next parts will cover various primary, secondary/assistance, and supplemental exercises for all of the 6 movements talked about in this part 1.
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#overcominggravity #bodyweightstrength #bodyweightstrengthtraining #fitness #calisthenics #streetworkout #calisthenicsworkout #gymnastics #gymnasticstrengthtraining #climbing #strength #strengthtraining #parkour #exercise #training #muscle #crosstraining  #workout #rockclimbing #crossfit #fitnessmotivation #fit #frontlever #backlever #planche #ironcross #flag #humanflag #vsit #manna
Little over 3-4 years since I last tried strict we Little over 3-4 years since I last tried strict weighted muscle ups. Turns out training one arm chins and power high pullups are pretty good for weighted muscle up training.
Last time I was able to do +40 lbs and this was +55 lbs. My all time best was +70 lbs or about half my bodyweight, so I'm already pretty close to setting a PR. I'll probably return for this in a month or two to see if I can tie my PR or best it.
Generally, if you are going to train weighted muscle ups you have to be careful of the elbows because the transition is already fairly hard on them. I would start in limited amounts of like 1-2 sets building up to 3 sets max and stay within the 1-3ish rep range. Most of your training should still be other pulling exercises. 
The hardest part of the muscle up is almost always the transition for most people. I'll be looking to put out a quick video on that in the near future with some of my specific cues on that.
#overcominggravity #bodyweightstrength #bodyweightstrengthtraining #fitness #gymnastics #gymnasticstrengthtraining #climbing #bouldering #strength #strengthtraining #strengthandconditioning #parkour #exercise #training #muscle #crosstraining #conditioning #weightlifting #workout #pullups #chinups #onearmpullup #rockclimbing #movementgymsdmv #crossfit #muscleup #muscleups #workout #workoutroutine #fitnessmotivation #fit
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