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Posts Tagged ‘sprinting’

Extreme Hamstring Training – How to Build Big, Powerful Legs

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Extreme Hamstring Training

How to Build Big, Powerful Legs

by Jim Smith, CSCS

It is true that there must be a balance with all training.  Unfortunately, the “go” muscles of the posterior chain are most often neglected in strength programs.  Lower back issues, hamstring strains and unrealized strength potential are just some of the everyday issues you will face if your training programs don’t include unilateral training AND strengthening the posterior chain (lats, erectors, glutes, hamstrings, gastrocs, soleus).

Powerlifters, athletes, strength enthusiasts, meat heads, weekend warriors and everybody else must incorporate exercises that target the posterior chain in their lower body training days.  Not only for increasing your lower body strength potential and reducing your risk for injury but making sure you don’t end up looking like a lightbulb (big upper body and no legs).

The Big Posterior Chain Movements

  • Chin-ups / Pull-ups
  • Squats – all variations
  • Deads – all variations (*really like snatch grip deads from deficit)
  • Bent Over Rows
  • Good Mornings
  • Zercher Back Extensions
  • RDL’s
  • GHR
  • Hip Thrusts – all variations (Contreras)
  • Jump Training / Plyometrics
  • Sprinting

FREE EBOOK WITH OVER 199 + MUSCLE BUILDING EXERCISES

In today’s article we are going to specifically talk about developing the hamstrings and the exercise we are going to focus on (and modify) is the glute ham raise or GHR.  Muscle strength ratios are important and many researchers have attempted to define the exact percentages required for each kinetic segment.  It is very difficult because these ratios “not only vary with joint angle, joint velocity and type of movement, but also with muscle group and the type of athlete. (i.e. knee extension strength vs. knee flexion strength:  60:40 ratio)” (Reference 6, Siff and Verkhoshansky)

Regardless of the exact percentages, we need to understand the basics.  The surrounding, supportive, antagonistic muscle groups for each kinetic segment must be developed to ensure the integrity of the engaged joint.  That is the basics, bottom line.  Simple, right? 

Elevated Glute Ham Raises [VIDEO BELOW]


In this article we are showing an advanced version of GHR’s.  Instead of overloading GHR on a GHR bench, we are going to increase the intensity by elevating the back end of the bench with a box.

Why do this?

Because at this angle, there is constant tension on the hamstrings and there is no release of the tension. Also more of the lifter’s bodyweight is being utilized.  These are no joke, trust me!  Try them out and let me know in a comment below.

Which muscles are engaged with GHR’s?

“The erector spinae are active, primarily isometrically; the glutes and hamstrings raise the upper body to parallel; the glutes maintain isometric activity, and the hamstrings contract further and raise your body higher by flexing the knees; the gastrocs press against the foot plate, contracting isometrically.  A glute/ham/gastroc raise lets you use the muscles of extension of the lower body one at a time.” (Reference 2, Kreis)

Alternatives

Many people don’t have access to a GHR bench.  If you don’t, you can perform natural glute ham raises.  This is a glute ham raise performed on the ground with someone holding (anchoring) your feet.  You definitely want a pad underneath your knees for this one.  They are much harder than GHR performed on the actual GHR bench.  As always, these too can be progressed if you are super strong.  Check out the variation below.

Natural Glute Ham Raises

A partner will hold the lifter / athlete’s feet while they perform GHR’s.  This variation is much tougher than the variation done on an actual GHR bench because momentum and pad angle plays a huge role in the moment arm and percentage of the lifter’s bodyweight that is utilized.


Advanced Natural Glute Ham Raises

This variation is done on a decline sit-up bench.  Because of the angle the intensity and strength requirement is off-the-charts.  Only your elite athletes will be able to do this.  As always, to aid in the concentric phase of the exercise, a plyometric push-up done off the bench can be incorporated.

The Programming

When do you use GHR’s?

They should be used in conjunction with squats (all variations), deadlifts (all variations), kettlebell swings, barbell hip thrusts, sprinting, etc… on your lower body days.

Volume for GHR’s on GHR Bench:

Bodyweight Only – typically 3-4 sets x 12-20 reps

Weighted (weight vest, chains, bands) – typically 3-4 sets x 8-12 reps

Volume for Natural or Advanced Natural GHR’s:

Bodyweight Only – typically 3-4 sets x 8-12 reps

Weighted (weight vest, chains, bands) – typically 3-4 sets x 6-8 reps

Resources

1.  Horrigan, Joseph M., IRONMAN Magazine, August 1995 (updated 2007)

2.  Kreis D.A., E.J., Speed-Strength for Football, Taylor Sports Publishing, 1992.

3.  Baechle and Earle, Essentials of Strength and Conditioning 3rd Edition, NSCA, June 2008

4.  Schache AG, Crossley KM, Macindoe IG, Fahrner BB, Pandy MG.,  Can a clinical test of hamstring strength identify football players at risk of hamstring strain?, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20697691, Aug, 2010.

5. Silder A, Thelen DG, Heiderscheit BC., Effects of prior hamstring strain injury on strength, flexibility, and running mechanics., Department of Biomedical Engineering, Aug, 2010

6.  Siff and Verkhoshansky, Supertraining – 6th Edition, UAC, 2009.

GHR With Back Elevated


how-to-warm-up-ultimate-warm-up-preparation

fast-bodybuilding-workouts-how-to-build-muscle

core-training-workouts-six-packs-abs-workouts

fast-bodybuilding-workouts-how-to-build-muscle

Tags: athletic strength training, build explosive power workouts, build lower body power, essential lower body exercises, hamstring training, leg strength, lower body muscle building, power bodybuilding, sprinting
Posted in accelerated muscular development, strength training to improve athletic performance, strength training workouts | 7 Comments »

Essential Lower Body Training for All Athletes

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

Essential Lower Body Training for Athletes

One of the biggest mistakes you’ll see in a strength program designed for athletes (or anyone for that matter) is the exclusion on unilateral lower body work.  Of course the foundational compound movements like the bench, squat, deadlift, military press, power clean & press, pull-ups, etc. have to be there.

But the supplemental work pulls everything together.   Common lower body unilateral exercises include; lunges, step-ups, Bulgarian split squats, power skips, one leg glute bridges and one leg hip extensions on bench.

In addition to building a well balanced program, unilateral lower body work will also reveal imbalances that are “masked” with conventional bilateral barbell work.

Does the athlete shift left or right when performing lunges?

Does the athlete fall forward during db step-ups?

Everything you have the athlete do is a screening opportunity for you as a coach.  Always be watching!

Benefits of Unilateral Lower Body Training

  • stabilization of appropriate lower kinetic segments (ankles, knees, hips, torso)
  • mobility of appropriate lower kinetic segments (ankles, hips)
  • balance, coordination, proprioception
  • torso rigidity
  • mental toughness / acuity / alertness
  • improved reactivity
  • charged CNS
  • dynamic stretching of the hips, glutes and hamstrings

How to Modify Unilateral Lower Body Training

  • overloaded – with chains, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, barbells, weight vest, partner’s bodyweight
  • explosive – done explosively
  • static – EQI’s
  • barefoot – all done barefoot, highly recommended!
  • hybrids – movement of the upper body independent of the lower body’s movement, ie.  lunges with twist

In the article today, I will be showing you two advanced unilateral lower body exercises.  Both should be done once the athlete demonstrates proficiency in their progressive transitional components.

Braced Bulgarian Split Squats

Key Coaching Points:

  1. Upright torso posture
  2. Brace core outward, and hold isometrically
  3. Center weight in the middle of your foot and anchor foot by grabbing floor with your toes

Explosive Bulgarian Split Jumps

Key Coaching Points:

  1. Spend as little time on the ground as possible
  2. Explode up as hard as possible and flow between reps without stopping
  3. Stay upright as possible throughout the movement

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Tags: athletic strength training, core training, explosive lower body training for athletes, fast, john franchi, mma, power, reactive, sprinting, ufc
Posted in accelerated muscular development, athletic strength training lift odd objects, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training to improve athletic performance, strongman training for athletes | 4 Comments »

Athletic Training – 3D Ankle Mobility

Monday, July 27th, 2009

mobility-of-the-ankle-joint

Benefits:

By improving the mobility of the ankle, the knee (requires dynamic stability) does NOT have to absorb unnecessary forces.

Typically ankle mobility exercises are thought to be reserved to keep athletes healthy, BUT everyone can benefit from this drill prior to their workout.

Any good workout should be structured the following way:

1. Foam Roller
2. Mobility
3. Activation
4. Workout
5. Recovery / Rehab
6. Restoration

How to Perform:

Sequence:

  1. Ankle Mobility
  2. Strength / Resistance Movement
  3. Ankle Mobility
  4. Strength / Resistance Movement
  5. Ankle Mobility
  6. Strength / Resistance Movement
  7. REPEAT

PS. Don’t forget about AJ’s FREE bench videos

How to Build Muscle | Muscle Building Workouts | How to Lose Fat | Six Pack Abs | Build Muscle, Muscle Gaining Workouts | Build Muscle Membership Site

Tags: ankle mobility, athletic training, athletic workouts, baseball, football, gain strength, running, soccer, sprinting, tennis, train athletes, wrestling
Posted in how to build muscle, injury rehab recover from injury, strength training muscle building workouts, strength training to improve athletic performance, strength training workouts | 9 Comments »

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