Forgotten Strength Work

So I'm going to attempt to cover some areas that seem to be overlooked anymore in training. I've become sick to my stomach seeing some of the "finishers" that so called experts come up with!! That would be a very long blog and will really piss off some of them when I attempt to write that!!

First up for us....neck and traps. I can remember when I joined the Army and was training at the base gym in Würzburg, Germany this guy comes over to me and says "Hey boy you better be training that stack of dimes you call a neck!" I believe training the traps falls right in there with neck training. Look at a good strength athlete, an athlete that plays a contact or collision sport they will have neck and traps IF they are training correctly. As far as I'm concerned after reading, visiting strength facilities and observing the training being done not enough coaches are programing this critical area into their training plans. You know, it really wasn't that long ago that neck training was a priority for all football players from high school, to college all the way to the pros. Most facilities had the plate loaded 4 way neck machine (even the commercial gym I trained at in San Antonio had one). Now there are ways around the expense of this machine if the facility or team is on a tight budget. Here are some other options...neck harness, old football helmets with a rod in it to load weights on, wrestler bridges(for more advanced athletes), I've discovered a way to use stretch bands for a 4 way neck workout, partner resisted work and finally one of my favorites placing the plate on your forehead and the back of your head to do the work!! While I don't agree with some of the old HIT Training methods they always did neck and heavy machine shrugs in their training. Look up old articles from Dr. Ken Leistner and you'll discover a whole new world of information!! I love reading his articles and I will admit they influenced me quite a bit and they still do!! Beisdes the "look" of a strength athlete there are important other factors in training the neck if you indeed play a contact or collision sport it had better be a priority in your training. In fact properly training the neck can help even so called "normal" people as well. Ever think that some of the chronic neck problems you have from sitting at the computer could possibly be from having a weak neck. So why not finish your training off with some neck work and shrugs but watch out and be warned.....buldging traps and thick necks are the result of this!! pictured is Bill "Kaz" Kazmaier one of the greatest strength athletes ever!! Train Hard...Play Harder...NO EXCUSES