Written on January 16, 2009 at 5:00 am, by Eric Cressey
No blog yesterday; things were kind of crazy around CP, and I did a 14-hour day that began with dropping Pete off at the airport at 6:15. The good news is that it allowed me to stockpile some content for today’s random thoughts.
1. For this week’s music selection, I got a little inspiration from one of Cressey Performance’s newest clients. Here’s a little old-school flavor for you:
2. Speaking of that new client, I guess you could say that the cat is out of the bag.
Rumor has it that this guy can pitch a little bit.
3. Here is a great review of Maximum Strength. I’ve been so busy lately that I actually forgot I’d published a book about six months ago and probably ought to mention it here and there! Click here to pick up a copy.
4. As I’ve written before, I’m not a fan of Vitamin Water – but I will say that I love article!
5. Apparently, George the Lobster is the talk of my hometown (Kennebunk/Kennebunkport, ME). They’re freeing this 140-year-old , 20-pound lobster on the beach up there this weekend. It was a strategic move to release him in January, as it reduces the likelihood that George will be scared back into captivity by the socially-awkward males tourists on the beach in their lime green Speedos.
Oh, and on a semi-related note, I could eat an entire 20-pound lobster in one sitting and then be hungry 15 minutes later. Lobster alone never fills me up; I’m a surf and turf guy. Us Maine guys are spoiled brats like that.
6. For those who missed it, I had an article published late last week at T-Nation; check it out:
7. After a holiday hiatus, I got back on track with my newsletter this week. Newsletter 138 focuses on the misunderstood role of the rhomboids.
8. I got asked the other day why I cue folks to keep the chin tucked during squatting and deadlifting variations. Shoulder geek that I am – and even though it’s just the tip of the iceberg – I gave the following perspective:
“because when they are stretched more completely they can contract more completely and generate more power over a longer ”
In the bottom of a squat, shouldnt you aim for holding a hyperextended spine since most people will mess up, going into posterior tilt? Cant really see how a hyperextended spine will lead to less stretch/contraction of the glutes and hams in the bottom position? 🙂
January 19th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
About the extensor reflex.
“because when they are stretched more completely they can contract more completely and generate more power over a longer ”
In the bottom of a squat, shouldnt you aim for holding a hyperextended spine since most people will mess up, going into posterior tilt? Cant really see how a hyperextended spine will lead to less stretch/contraction of the glutes and hams in the bottom position? 🙂
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 am
There’s an excellent exercise called the two hand flag press.I use this to practice retraction & depression of the scapula while pressing.