The Underrated Exercises
Written on May 24, 2007 at 12:09 pm, by Eric Cressey
What are the three most underrated and underused exercises? Does it differ across gender?
Well, I’m not sure that the basics – squats, deadlifts, various presses, pull-ups, and rows – can ever be considered overrated or overappreciated in both a male and female population.
Still, I think that single-leg exercises are tremendously beneficial, but are ignored by far too many trainers and lifters. Variations of lunges, step-ups, split squats, and single-leg RDLs play key roles in injury prevention and development of a great lower body.
Specific to females, we know that we need a ton of posterior chain work and correctly performed single-leg work to counteract several biomechanical and physiological differences. Namely, we’re talking about quad dominance/posterior chain weakness and an increased Q-angle. Increasing glute and hamstrings strength and optimizing frontal plane stability is crucial for resisting knock-knee tendencies and preventing ACL tears. If more women could do glute-ham raises, the world would be a much better place!
Eric Cressey
www.EricCressey.com
Category Blog | Tags: Building The Efficient Athlete, Eric Cressey, Exercises, Magnificent Mobility, Rotator Cuff Exercises, Rotator Cuff Rehab, Shoulder Exercises, Shoulder Health, Shoulder Impingement, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Rehab, Training, Unstable Surface Training, Weight Lifting Program, Weight Lifting Routine, Workout Program, Workout Routine
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May 24th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I’m a female lifter, and I’m big on single leg RDLs, and other single limb lifts in general. I do my best to stay balanced.
Oh, just read your deadlift article on t-nation, awesome awesome stuff!
May 25th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Eric,
Great stuff in the blog – too many people out there looking for the end run around hard work instead of hitting the basics (squat, bench, DL) + Mobility + skill work.
Lift heavier and Jump higher – Love it.