Deadlifts
Deadlifts are one of the core components of power lifters and bodybuilders all over the world. With proper form and mobility maintenance the Deadlift can stay in your repertoire for quite awhile. This is a compound lift that pretty much works your entire body and after three or four sets you will likely be streaming sweat. The issue with the Deadlift is more focused on when you get older. Proper form is hard to get down when you are starting to collect your own minor, nagging pains. Improper form when doing Deadlifts isn’t just a gym sin, it is also super dangerous. You’ll be putting serious pressure on both your knees and your back and any instability at your foundation will follow you up your spine. Skip barbell Deadlifts and opt instead for kettelbell or dumbbell Deadlifts instead at a lower weight. These options will still push you but you won’t get ground down quite so much.
Deadlifts
Smith Machine Assisted Squats
Tell a hardened weight lifter to get into the Smith Machine and they’ll likely laugh in your face. No, they aren’t acting from a position of heightened gym snobbery (well, not exclusively) and they do have a point: the Smith Machine is a problem. Initially the Smith Machine was invented in order to help injured people build up their strength as they recovered from serious injuries. The success of the machine parlayed itself into a starring role in gyms across the country. Many people mistakenly think that they should use the Smith Machine instead of a squat rack. This is wrong. Smith Machine’s not only prevent you from using all of your muscles, as they effectively hold the bar up for you, but they also do major damage to your back. As you get older you need to pay more attention to your back and the Smith Machine won’t help. Trying to squat on a Smith Machine will force your back and spine to move in an unnatural motion, straight up and down, putting the brunt of the weight on your spine rather than your legs, neck, and shoulders. No good.
Smith Machine Assisted Squats