In todays blog I want to address the common misconception that there are certain exercises we must do in the gym in order to get fit and strong (unless you are a powerlifter or a weightlifter this is just simply not true). Exercises such as back squats, bench press, Deadlift and overhead press are our biggest bang for your buck type movements, but if you cannot safely undertake the exercise there is no need to do them.
An example would be someone who has lower back issues and this is aggravated while undertaking a back squat and they struggle to get into the correct position for the lift then we need to look at alternatives to the back squat. A heavy sled drag for example with the harness over the shoulders, is a perfect alternative allowing us to load up the body and work the same muscle groups as the back squat while also removing the load through the lower back.
We can also lower the harness and place it around the waist, this places a higher demand on the posterior chain which is similar to that of the deadlift while also removing the load from the lower back.
In other words, there are many ways to skin a cat and if you are finding some exercises just don’t work for you, or you don’t enjoy them, then change them. Look for alternative methods to reach the same result.
