Maintaining Shoulder Retraction in Strength Workouts

[lynn]

Hi Cathe--

When doing the upper body workouts in all of your various workouts, should I strive for always maintaining a good shoulder retraction ?

You really emphasize it in your S and H series, and I didn't know if it is considered a variation on the exercises for that particular series or just a "good form pointer" that we should be doing all of the time.

Thank you in advance,
Lynn

PS.. The Intensity Series is FABULOUS! Great job!

 

[betsyl]

I've often wondered this too

and I find myself doing automatically ever since I started doing Slow & Heavy last year.
[font color=green]BETSY[/font]

 

[mogambo]

RE: I've often wondered this too

But in other workouts, she tells you to go for full range of motion on the back work, for instance. I am curious as to what she will say.

 

[kweller]

I agree, great question. Curious!

 

[kathryn]

I have taken to using the "retracted shoulder" position in all my weight work (Douglas Brooks recommends doing so in his Personal Trainer books). I've had problems with shoulder tendinitis in the past, and the retracted position seems to keep things working the way they are supposed to and keeps me from having problems with impingment, especially when doing overhead presses (which I by-the-way never do with a barbell).

 

[activegirl]

bump....