Page 34 - NGA NATURALmag 2017 ANNIVERSARY FALL Issue

Fall 2017
MOTIvATOR’S CORNER
JOHNNY “THE MOTIvATOR” CARRERO
NGA CHAIRMAN CA PROFESSIONAL FITNESS FITNESS TRAINER WWW FITNESSINMIND FITNESSINMIND COM FITNESSINMINDMOTIvATOR@GMAIL COM COM I’ve noticed over the the past few years that there are more more and more more people who
are squatting as a a a a a form of exercise Many trainers are taught to teach their clients that squatting is the quintessential workout move which it is However if squats are not executed correctly this exercise can prove to be quite dangerous Squats are not not for for everybody and it is is especially not not for for those who
suffer from scoliosis lower back knee hip neck or or or shoulder problems For example a a a a person with a a a a tight Achilles tendon will have trouble keeping their their heels down on on on the the the floor dur- ing ing a a a a a a a a a a squat squat because it places their their knees at at at at at risk So they should never attempt squats Squats are also not for a a a a a a a a a a a a person who
suffers from scoliosis because they already have a a a a a a a a a a a a slightly curved spinal column In essence be be weary of assigning squats as as an exercise move because for some it it could cause cause more harm than it does good If you you you you are a a a a a a a a a a trainer it is important that you you you you ask your clients before you you you you assign them to squat as as as a a a a a a a a a a a component of of their workout regimen if they have had any of of of the the the the above mentioned ailments before teaching and and telling them to squat Risk of of injury and and unnecessary joint damage can be prevented by simply posing that that question with your clients on on on day one one of of their training It is true that that squats are one one of of the the best power power movements available but only if if you are a a power power lifter If performed incorrectly squats can be one of the the most dangerous exercises there is is is so this move must be be cleared when you you have adequately deter- mined your client’s ability to to to be be able to to to do them effectively without risk to to to to serious injury Some trainers believe that it it it is is impossible to to develop develop well-developed and and strong legs and and glutes without squats but that that is is not true There are many other alternative leg leg exercises that that can be utilized to develop great legs and glutes as a a a a a a a a a a a replacement for squatting squatting For example the leg leg leg sled or or or leg leg leg press is is one such exercise similar similar to squatting squatting that provides a a a a a a a similar similar movement without the the added stress on on the the neck spine lower back or knees Assessing the the athletic ability of your client is is a a a a a a necessity before adding a a a a a a a a squat to their exercise regimen Here are are some simple questions and agility tests that are are suggested you you ask your clients before they begin training:
1 Do you have any injuries? (Especially to the neck back knees or shoulders )
2 Do you have scoliosis of the spine?
3 Check their their their gait on on how they stand and and walk You have to set their their their stance for their their their bone structure For example I I I stand with with my my feet feet veed (V’d) If I I I performed a a a a a a a squat with with my my my feet feet straight it it would do damage to my my knee joint 4 Have them demonstrate a a a a a a a squat without weights so that you can see if they are even capable of executing the the squat movement correctly To squat or Not?
34 NGA NATURAL mag