RE: Big Picture Time
Bobbi, the hamstrings cross both the hip and knee joint, and perform hip extension as well as knee flexion. So I would not disagree at all they are not being worked in a straight legged deadlift because in fact they are - to a much greater degree than in a lunge. A bi-articulate muscle works best when it is stretched over one joint (in the case of a dead lift the knee) while working at the other (the hip during hip extension on the lift). Straight legged dead lifts are a superb hamstring exerises. This is no comparison to the lunge, where the back leg hip flexor is on stretch with no joint action at the hip. I stated that in my previous post - the muscle is on stretch and not working as a prime mover. Therefore, it is receiving no strength benefits from the exericse, and won't even receive any stretching benefits if it is tight. I don't see the contradiction. And I don't feel I owe Bobbi an apology, Mommy Carole. Adults can disagree. Her statement "Roe, you are incorrect" has a harsh inference as well. We are obviously both looking at the topic from different perspectives.
And for the record, I do not see Cathe as a rival, but am sick and tired of reading posts from her cheerleading squad who are so quck to rise to her defense every time someone posts a topic that might stir up controversy. (The amount of support mail I receive off-forum is proof that you - Bobbi -, and others here, shame people for having an opinion that is not pro-Cathe.) I have stated many times that she is talented and has been a mentor to me in the fitness field. I do, however, find that she has taken her own fitness to an extreme. In regards to your post, Bobbi, in the "I want to Know!" thread, why is it necessary for Cathe to be 5 lbs under normal weight during filming? What type of message does that send to Cathe's fans who have battled, or are continuing to battle, eating disorders? I don't doubt that she is genetically blessed but she looked great in her Step Heat days, and very healthy and fit in the CTX series. The extra 5 lbs would have her at normal weight, and even at normal weight she looks small, fit and wonderful.
How do we know that Cathe herself doesn't suffer from self-esteem issues or internal/external pressures to maintain her level of fitness. None of you know the real Cathe, even those of you who have met her, and no one is perfect. Obviusly, some of her fans are feeling really crappy about themselves every time a new series comes out and Cathe and her crew keep re-inventing themslves to new levels of fitness that even the most genetically blessed would still have to work very hard at to achieve.
-Roe