During overhead squat assesment my client has a low back arch. How do you determine whether to focus on one rather than the othe
What I mean is that on the NASM corrective exercise chart it has your probable under and overactive muscles. In either box it shows you the muscles which are most likely short and need stretching or are underactive and need strengthening On top of the NASM template there is a box where I would input the exercises to either stretch or strengthen for specific client. Just trying to figure out if there is a way to quickly determine if the compensation is due to the muscle being weak and not short, vice versa. Also, when working with a first time client, if they demonstrate serious muscle imbalances, do we as trainers just focus on correcting them though SMR and static stretching for a few weeks leaving out strength exercises or should we still incorporate a few exercises with their corrective exercise program. Thanks in advance.
Hi Hector,
new clients often show a whole array of imbalances to the point that you hardly know where to start.
SMR and stretching should be the starting point of your workout but appropriate stabilization exercises are also part of the same workout. Frankly, if you only do SMR and stretching, you’ll run the client off before you ever hand them a dumbbell. NASM has recently launched a few workout samples which you can use as a guide http://www.nasm.org/landing-pages/corrective-exercise-training-series.
Depending on the kind of client you have, it would also be okay to find a few exercises that the client would probably be successful at. It is not encouraging for a client to only hear about all that stuff that’s wrong with him. I would also encourage to do the SMR and stretching as homework so that you can sooner move into the next phase. I find it important to explain to the client WHY you want them to do it so they can buy into the tedium of those preparatory modalities.
Good luck.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com