| Although the entire body needs to be properly | | | | keeping the lumbar spine and the cervical spine in a |
| positioned during bodybuilding workout, the axial | | | | neutral position. The only change is a slight degree of |
| skeleton and its immediate attachments are of | | | | extension or straightening through the thoracic |
| greatest concern and require particular attention. | | | | religion. To do this, we simply pull the shoulder blades |
| Correctly positioning and stabilizing the spine, neck | | | | together and lift the chest slightly up and out while |
| and pelvis during resistance-training exercises are | | | | maintaining the ntural arch in the lumbar and cervical |
| especially important. To see better how these areas | | | | regions of the spine. An example of this would be |
| should be positioned during exercise, you should first | | | | soldiers standing at attention with their shoulders |
| be aware of how they are positioned when held or | | | | back and their chest out. This spinal positioning is |
| stabilized aat ret. Not everyone has the same degree | | | | called a ready position.Positioning the spine in this |
| of spinal curvature, and some may have spinal | | | | manner supports weight more efficiently and still |
| abnormalities. If you or someone you are training has | | | | allows for the least amount of intervertebral disk |
| any of these abnormalities or any type of back | | | | compression in the cervical and lumbar regions. |
| problems, be sure a doctor is consulted before | | | | Instead of bracing the lower back by flattening it, |
| beginning any exercises program.Different schools of | | | | you should maintain the natural arch in the lumbar |
| thought exist regarding the spine and exercise. Some | | | | spine. Maintaining this position will require stabilization |
| people advocate flattening the back during most any | | | | from the muscles throughout the back, particularly |
| exercise in which a bench, pad, or some sort of | | | | those of the lower region. This is an added benefit. |
| outside support is present. The theory behind this | | | | These muscles will be working to stabilize what is a |
| concept is to reduce the stress on the spine, | | | | natural and desirable spinal position while the targeted |
| intervertebral disks, and lower-back area by bracing | | | | muscles are working against the resistance. Muscles |
| them against a support. Flattening the back actually | | | | of the trunk and lower back are typically weak links |
| requires most people to tilt the pelvis posteriorly. The | | | | in most individuals. Using this positioning will help to |
| spine is in its strongest position and the disks are | | | | strengthen and stabilize these weak links rather than |
| under the least amount of compression when the | | | | pacifying them. Isn't strengthening weak muscles one |
| spine, neck and pelvis are all in a neutral position with | | | | of the reasons we do resistance training in the first |
| the normal arches and curvatures intact. With this in | | | | place ? |
| mind, we prefer to do most every exercise while | | | | |