Exercises for Back Dysfunction

In this day and age of technology, sedentary lifestyles, aging and poor posture—all trainers have their hands full trying to enforce optimal exercise execution. And I don’t simply mean “not swinging the arms” during biceps curls or “not going low enough on barbell squats”. I am referring to very small deviations in optimal performance. As a therapist, you should also be familiar with the importance of good technique, for yourself and for your clients.

Common Trainer Mistakes

One of the most popular practice in the gym is to start with advanced exercises. This mistake is committed because users choose complex exercises or heavy loads without working with progressions first. An even bigger mistake committed by personal trainers is to not assess clients at all before beginning an exercise program. How do this happen? They lack proper instruction, coaching, and body awareness. Most novice exercisers don’t know how to “feel” a muscle during certain movements or drills. Their bodies are loaded with muscle imbalances and compensations that further exacerbate dysfunction without them even knowing. Trainers miss these subtle hints because most trainers do not perform movement assessments or they simply don’t have the keen eye to spot everything during a movement. That keen eye is polished with a competency in basic anatomy and exercise biomechanics.

Body Movement versus Machine Movement

Most trainers and exercisers assess capability with the “first set” of a loaded exercise. I’m sure you’ve seen it or experienced the “Express-Line” at your local commercial fitness facility. Most new exercisers are placed on strength machines consisting anywhere from 6-12 exercises. Trainers are instructed to orient new exercisers on these machines without a movement screening or basic assessment. Once a client is placed on a machine, a load is placed and there you have it: the trainer “no longer” pays attention to the mechanics of the body. They only focus on the proper “usage of the machine”.

In my next blog I will present information on proper program design and corrective exercises for the back.

Let's connect at info@gaiaadventures.com.

Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures, Kinesiologist, Workshops
www.gaiaadventures.com

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