Welcome to our brand new weekend roundup, Three of the Best! Every Sunday, we’ll post up Breaking Muscle’s top three articles of the week. These pieces have caught your attention throughout the last seven days. So here they are in one place for you to consume, digest, and enjoy.
#1 – Wake Up Your Obliques With the Diagonal Side Sit
What’s a powerful way to skyrocket your power and strength? Introduce unusual movements that safely challenge your stability. Movement variability is key to preventing injuries and avoiding the dreaded training plateau.
The diagonal side sit is a perfect addition to your stability training program. It is a transitional position that will help you move from lying on the ground to a sitting position. It develops the rotational function of the abdominal oblique muscles, which control rotation of the torso in connection with the smaller muscles of the lower back.
#2 – Bulky Is a Lie: Why Women Need to Lift Weights
Many women fear they will become too muscular as a result of strength training. While this fear is on the decline, you might be surprised how common it still is. Unfortunately, many high profile “celeb” trainers perpetuate the misinformation.
Trainers such as Tracy Anderson warn that lifting anything heavier than 3lb dumbbells will cause the following problems. The end result is that the consumer becomes disempowered, and her followers are no closer to their goals by following her advice.
#3 – Mobilize Your Hips and Quads to Get More From Your Core
As a coach, not a day passes without someone saying to me, “I need a stronger core.”
For the core, mobility comes from the hips and upper thoracic spine. If you want to crawl, practice MMA, or do yoga, you need good movement through your thoracic spine and hips. If you are locked up in these areas, your access to those movements will be limited. Here’s how to unlock your hips and quads to build real core strength and stability.
Did You See These?
- Your Complete Carbohydrate Prep Plan
- Bottoms-Up Kettlebell Presses for Solid Shoulders
- The Kettlebell Snatch: Tsar of Lifts
- New on Breaking Muscle Today
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Empirical.
