Core Exercise you Should Know: Pallof Press

Why Pallof Press?

Physical therapists and strength coaches are beginning to adopt the Pallof press for many of their clients. As a Personal Trainer, it’s imperative that my clients gain functional core strength for two reasons: progression and reducing risk of injury.

The Core is for Stability

The core musculature includes, but is not limited to the abdominal muscles. Glutes, hip flexors, back muscles, and abdominal muscles should all contract in synergy for optimal effect.

Core strength can also be visually appealing.

Benefits of the Pallof Press

So let’s take a look at the reasons why I like to include the Pallof Press.

Kneeling Pallof Press

  1. Seriously works your core muscles
  2. Only requires cable machine or bands
  3. Trains the abdominals with high resistance in an anti-rotation stance
  4. Forces people to learn stabilization
  5. With continued use, will develop significant strength and possible physique developments.

Pallof Press video

This is a short introductory video on the Pallof Press… in the future I will produce a more detailed guide to performing the Pallof Press.

If all else fails, focus on the core.

People who hit plateau’s may want to consider focusing on the core for a few weeks. With strong core muscles, you will be able to better activate the muscles throughout the lower body, torso, and extremities. And you’ll look good doing it.

 

Physical Fitness by Dre

Benefits of Chin Ups

Chin Ups are Royalty when it comes to Upper Body training

Bling bling, you hear that? It’s the money, it’s raining wealth in the health of your body when you realize how beneficial chin ups are. Check it out.

Chest to bar

Benefits of Chin Ups

  1. Gain powerful pulling strength
  2. Strengthen upper back and shoulder girdle
  3. Biceps and forearms
  4. Abdominal strength
  5. Metabolism benefits
  6. Makes you legit

Keep your Chin Up for Life baby!!

Stay tuned for Chin Up progression even if you can’t do one yet.

Physical Fitness by Dre

What are the Benefits of Lunges with or without a Medicine ball?

The Lunge.

Let me show you why the lunge is named in that way. The word, “Lunge.” originates from old English words, “to lengthen, make long.” That’s what we do with the lunge exercise — we tone and lengthen. How does that sound when you think about your legs?

Benefits of the Lunge

1. Balance / coordination

2. Promotes healthy metabolism

3. Strengthens muscles throughout the knee and hip structures

4. May lengthen tight muscles

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Most people will find sufficient training effect from bodyweight alone. From there, you may want to advance and hold some sort of weight.

Why medicine balls are effective is because you can get a positive training effect from relatively light weights. It’s great for core stuff also.

To Lunge or not to Lunge…

Verdictum: To Lunge, my friends.

Physical Fitness by Dre

Exercise Log #2 Bulgarian Split Squat (aka RFESS)

Why aren’t you split squatting?

Many serious weightlifters say that the Squat is the king of exercises. Squats promote muscle tone and strength in the legs. If you want to spend gym time wisely, you must realize the benefit of lower body / core training.

Benefits of Bulgarian Split Squat

I use this exercise with clients and for myself based on the following reasons:

  • Promotes healthy metabolism
  • Balance, coordination
  • Muscular development supporting knee and hip structures
  • Posture improvements
  • Active stretching of hip flexors
  • Glute strengthening

Exercise Log #2

Try this, you can do this exercise all over the place.

Physical Fitness by Dre

Mobility Log #1: Effective Quad Stretch on Foam Roller

Most people benefit from healthy muscle tissue in the quadriceps.

If you’re going to stretch, there’s no point in half-arsing it. Make it a quality stretch, take the time to do it and you will reap the benefits for injury prevention, recovery, and mobility.

Quite frankly, you feel better when you aren’t bogged down by tight muscles everywhere.

Potent Quadriceps stretch with simultaneous Foam Rolling action

Stay tuned for more mobility improvements

Physical Fitness by Dre