Synctuition – Meditation is a spiritual technique of relaxation and introspection that has been practiced in many cultures for thousands of years. It teaches you to reach a state of mental quietness, “no mind” as Eckhardt Tolle calls it, respectively inwardly directed concentration and attention. Using suitable meditation techniques, you are able to influence or shape your external perceived and experienced, subjective “reality” by reprogramming your subconscious beliefs and stored behaviors. In this article you will find out why everyone should meditate, how you can benefit healthily and spiritually from it, and how you can use meditation techniques, like Synctuition to strengthen both your mind and your body. Because you don’t perceive the world as it is, but only depending on your own current inception! Let’s take a look inside yourself and you’ll be surprised what you might discover…

Synctuition Review – Why you should start meditating!

Meditation will make you more powerful than ever before!

If you follow my fitness blog, you will surely have already gained experience with training your physical body. But how about the training of your mind or your “consciousness”?

You are probably already dealing with the different facets of physical training, such as various training methods, training parameters, food supplements, forms of nutrition or special “tools”.

Everything including influences from your external (environment) world. But have you ever dealt with your internal influences? The power of your thoughts and how they have an impact on your life?

“Your inner world creates your outer world” (T. Harv Ecker)

Your thoughts create your reality

You can like him or not, but not only because of his sporting achievements everyone can learn from Arnold Schwarzenegger, even if you have no competition ambitions yourself. He is credited with the following quote:

Bodybuilding is like any other sport. To be successful, you have to dedicate yourself 100% to your training, your diet and your mind. “

In this art icle we want to address the last point mentioned – the mind – and how you can take it to a whole new level through meditation.

Because only when your body and mind form a unit (are coherent) you can develop your full potential.

In addition to all the external influences that you can have on your body, it is the mind that is mostly neglected or underestimated. But a truly strong body is also animated by a strong spirit!

Meditation and sport

What do (strength) sport and meditation have in common?

At first you might not think much. Concentrated, motionless sitting with inward-directed attention (meditation) on the one side and lifting dumbbells on the other.

However, if one does not allow oneself to be confused by the obvious and looks deeper, not only common denominators can be recognized, but also additions and mutual influence / support.

By meditating regularly you can direct your focus from your outer to your inner world. You will learn to access your subconscious and to find out what moves you and which beliefs and behavioral patterns you live by.

All good things come in threes – even within the human brain

As is well known, all good things come in threes. It is the same – or similar – with your brain or your brains. Most because your brain is basically made up of three big parts.

Neocortex = 1. brain, Limbisches System = limbic system = 2. brain, Cerebellum = 3. brain, source: own picture.

The neocortex (first brain), the limbic system (midbrain / second brain) and the cerebellum (cerebellum / third brain). There are of course different structures of the brain depending on the literature, for the sake of simplicity we will limit ourselves to the above-mentioned ones in this article.

Why we are concerned with the structure (simplified) of a human brain at this point is because we have to understand that we are not our thoughts, and much of what happens to us every day is attracted by unconscious thoughts/behavior patterns, respectively is not consciously thought/devised.

Your mind rules over matter (or the reality you perceive), but positive thinking alone is usually not enough; you should then use meditation or suitable meditation techniques for this.

Why positive thinking alone is probably not enough

The diagram above shows you the large area of ​​the so-called neocortex, the seat of your conscious thinking. This makes up about 5% of your “consciousness”.

The remaining 95% are almost completely in the cerebellar convolutions (see picture).

Since this is a very complex topic, I don’t want to go into the structure of the brain too much in the context of this article.

However, it can be seen that – if your Conscious Mind is only 5%, positive thinking alone is not enough to realize or manifest actual changes in your life.

Example:

You exercise because you don’t want to be thin. So you say to yourself every day “I don’t want to be thin, that’s why I lift weights”. So now 5% of the neocortex is working (conscious thoughts that you are actively thinking).

In your subconscious, however, you have adopted something else, perhaps due to an experience / a belief system dating back decades, for example: “I am a failure and a weakling”.

This creates a huge inner conflict, in which the 5% of the new “positive” thinking have to face a superiority of 95% of the old “negative” thinking.

A hopeless fight? Not necessarily. Because through meditation you learn to access your subconscious mind (the divine in you), to determine old thought patterns / beliefs and to eliminate or replace them with new ones.

Meditation cleans your “hard disc drive”

Think of your brain as your body’s software / operating system (“computer”).

During meditation you will learn to search the operating system for “viruses” and then to clean your hard drive (brain). A process that will not work overnight, but should be carried out regularly.

The topic of body detoxification or “detox” as it is now called in modern German is on everyone’s lips these days and is used almost inflationary! Of course, this is useful and important and you can find out more about it here.

But when was the last time you “washed” your brain? (Of course in a positive sense) Never? The time has come! But not by mass media, the news manipulate you and tell you what to do and think, but by yourself.

 Not by daily news and co., but by your own “inside look”!

“reset” you mind, source: pixabay.

Which meditation is the “right one”?

As with so many things, there is no “right” or “wrong” in meditation. Ultimately, it is rather about ascending/transforming through/after a meditation as a different human being.

It is important for any meditation to do it free of distractions. Regardless of whether it is by family, friends, pets, cell phones, computers, etc. This time should only be yours and always take place in the same place, preferably in a dark place, free from wind, noise etc.

If you like, use a blindfold to keep your eyes away from visual distraction. Using a blindfold is much more convenient during meditation than just closing your eyes. Especially for beginners!

To answer the question of what’s the “best” meditation I would recommend you synctuition!

Why? Let me explain. Synctuition is probably the “most bang for your buck”. No matter if you are a complete novice to the topic of meditation or if you have already tried lots of meditational stuff.

Synctuition will probably blow my mind. I have been using it quite a while before writing this article and have already recommended it to clients and patients. 

Working as a Strength and Conditioning Trainer and “Heilpraktiker” (Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner) I see lots of people who are in a chronically stressed state (sympathicotone).

I always recommend them to integrate a form of daily meditation to find a simple but effective and non-supplement based approach of coping with the stressors in their lives.

But why Synctuition you ask? Well, because it follows the “Pareto Principle” (80-20 rule). You can choose every day among different meditations but I would recommend you just to follow the journey Synctuition has prepared for you.

Each meditation lasts about 25 minutes and you are not recommended to do more. You can only log into your account, respectively the meditational sounds once every 12 hours.

That’s an approach I really like, as more is not always better. Same when it comes to discovering your hidden potential and going on a quest/journey to your inner self. According to that Synctuition is a very clever, smart AND effective way of meditation.

What else is special? Well, they recommend you to do a short recording of your own voice initially.

This is to convert the meditation tracks into “tailor made” tracks for your brain, incorporating your own voice and using special (gamma) brain-waves, so-called “binaural beats”, to enhance your meditational experience!

Synctuition even claims that 25 minutes of their meditation is as equally effective as a 4 hour “conventional” meditation technique.

Well, to be honest, I cannot give you proof of that, but what I can tell you, from my own experience is: the 3D sounds they’re using are aaaaamaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzing!

Of course you should not trust me, go and make your own experience. Synctuition will give you the possibility to test them 7 days for free!

Meditation is head and heart energy – together they stand

Thoughts in the brain – whether consciously or unconsciously – always run electronically or electrochemically. You can find out more about this here. Your heart rate is magnetic.

Through meditation you will learn to bring your head and heart back into harmony. Because if you think something but do not have the appropriate emotion (and vice versa) your wishes will not come true.

Unfortunately, many people are too trapped in their minds these days, that’s why we all too often only understand things but do not understand them!

The addiction to (unconscious) behavioral patterns

The reason why most people don’t develop is because their body is addicted to certain states of being.

So you think e.g. “I’m weak, a failure, I can’t do it anyway” etc. Each of these (or other thoughts) has a chemical influence on your organism / body, e.g. permanent stress hormones such as adrenaline or cortisol are released.

If this happens over days, years, months, years, decades, your body gets used to it in the truest sense of the word and recognizes this as the status quo, i.e. as normal.

If you now begin to determine such destructive behavior patterns / beliefs by meditation and to dissolve them using suitable techniques, your body will of course resist at first! Like a nicotine addict longing for his next cigarette.

But don’t let that confuse you and the best is to do your meditation every day!

By meditating daily you will not only improve your focus and all other areas of life during your training, but you will also learn to live in the “here and now”.

No more concentration problems, no more fears of thinking about a future you don’t want or a past that is long gone.

Synctuition – Synchronicity meets Intuition

There’s one point I haven’t mentioned so far.

What does “synctuition” actually mean? Well, being a true nerd of linguistics I looooove to decrypt terms! Therefore I’ll give you quite an etymological explanation of the constructed term Synctuition, from my perspective.

Synctuition derives from synchronicity and intuition. Pretty sure you figured that out on your own.

But what is a syn/chronicity? The term synchronicity derives from the Latin prefix syn = with, together, at the same time; and the Greek suffix chronos = time (Becher et al., 1995).

Therefore, a literal translation would be. “with time”…

According to the “father of synchronicity” Carl Gustav Jung, this term yet is described as:

the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (such as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality (…)” (Merriam-Webster).

Intuition, of course, and how could it be otherwise, also derives from Latin. Can it also be further decrypted? I’ll give it a try. To be fair, this is not backed up with 100% linguistical proof!

From my point of view in/tuition can further be broken down into the Latin prefix in = “into something”, on (Becher et al, 1995); and Latin tuitio = protection (Frag Cäsar).

Interesting. According to that, intuition would mean something like “ into protection”. Does this make sense? I think so! Think of intuition…what else could it be as your “inner voice” that prevents you from doing mistakes?

Of course Synctuition could also just mean syn = with + (in)tuition  à Synctuition. Anyhow, I think it’s always interesting to know what all the terms mean in the context of meditation and beyond.

Synctuition Meditation Conclusion

Meditation, source: pixabay.

As you can see, meditation is an extremely complex topic and the length of a single blog article is by far not sufficient to adequately present such an exciting but also multi-layered topic.

This article is intended to give you a first glimpse of this extremely useful and invigorating technique of “looking inside”.

Do not let yourself be influenced too much by your external world and learn that ultimately everything is a manifestation of your conscious / unconscious thoughts.

A very exciting field that even leads you into the world of quantum physics, in which you learn that all possibilities of our “reality” ultimately exist at the same time and that our idea of ​​linear time is most likely wrong.

You decide for yourself how deep you want to go down the “rabbit hole” and you will be surprised and fascinated by what awaits you on your spiritual journey.

As an introduction to this topic I highly recommend you to start with Synctuition. Is it worth the investment? Well, there’s always only a subjective answer to such a question. Nevertheless, I think it is an investment as it could bring you a huge return on investment!

Investing 25 minutes a day could lower your stress-levels, might support your immune system, could contribute to discover your own subconscious beliefs and sooooo much more.

Synctuition charges about 100$ per year, which makes it about 8,33$/month. If you stick to the program and meditate every day this is about 1,92$/week, which will “cost” you 0,275$/single meditation! This is a ridiculous amount of 0,010997$/minute of meditation!!! Think of that!

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Lateinisch- griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 59.

Lateinisch- griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 102.

Lateinisch- griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 218.

Synchronicity, source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity, access from 21.08.2020.


Tuitio, source: https://www.frag-caesar.de/lateinwoerterbuch/tuitio-uebersetzung.html, access from 21.08.2020.

Esports players should train like “normal” professional non-esport related athletes! Every professional gamer should invest in a professional Strength and Conditioning Coach, and there are at least a ton of reasons to do so!

Esports players benefit from strength and conditioning training as it is a sport specific performance coaching, consisting of a special nutrition designed diet, posture improvement, musculoskeletal efficiency enhancement, brain coaching for faster neural processing and so much more!

Regarding how much money pours into esports, it would be simply stupid not to consider, and treat, pro gamers as professional athletes! But just like any other professional athlete they should hire a professional strength and conditioning coach to get a winning edge!

This article is primarily designed for professional esport players, those who want to make a living out of pro gaming and how the collaboration with a professional Strength and Conditioning Coach will enhance their game.

My article is also intended to show Strength and Conditioning Coaches how they can work with professional athletes they might never have thought of and how and where they might start to work with them.

Ok, what does a Strength and Conditioning Coach for professional esports do? Well, pretty much the same he does with all his other professional clients, too. He trains them in a sport specific manner, to make them better athletes in their particular sport.

Esports – The relentless training of professional gaming stars

If you’re reading this because you’re a professional esport gamer, respectively athlete, I won’t have to explain you how relentless and hard you’re training to be(come) one of the world’s best.

For all my other readers I will give a brief overview of how intensive a pro-gamer’s training routine is:

It’s not uncommon for professional esport athletes to perform gaming for more than 12 hours daily, on a regular basis, respectively every day!

In an industry in which the fraction of a second can decide over hundreds of thousands of dollars, the margin for errors is thinkable small!

Esport is not a sport?! That’s probably what lots of non-gamers might think now. What’s the deal? You sit all day long in front of a computer, watching your ass getting bigger and bigger? Everybody can do that…

Something like that is what you usually hear, when you talk about people who are not related to sports of any kind and particularly not to esports!

Esports – the fastest gamer wins!

From a traditional point of view esport gamers/athletes are not what you have in mind when you think of an “athlete”. A bunch of guys sitting in their mom’s basement thriving on junk food and energy drinks to stay awake as long as possible.

You might change your stereotype view!

Esports have evolved in the last decades to a multi-million, respectively multi-billion dollar industry!

Their top athletes have sponsoring contracts, earn hundreds of thousands of prize money and are followed by a huge fanbase. Just like other professional non esport athletes as well!

Being a pro esport gamer requires you being able to process information as fast as possible to make the winning move!

That means that it is not only some typing on a keyboard and scrolling around with the cursor of your mouse. It is about the speed of information<—>reaction time!

How fast can you absorb, realize, interpret your esport related environment (game) AND how fast you can take action!

According to that there are lots of points that have to be taken into consideration:

  • Range of Motion (ROM) improvement
  • Information processing capacity in total
  • Neuromuscular control
  • Fine motor skills
  • Sensory perception (especially visual and auditive)
  • Alignment of musculoskeletal system
  • Neuronal efficiency
  • Motor control efficiency
  • Firing rate of motorneurons
  • Nutrition
  • Supplementation
  • Biochemistry (Neurotransmitter !)
  • Much more
  • Physiology & psychology

As you can see there are lots of things you can optimize with an athlete. Please bear in mind that the list above, by all means, is NOT complete! It’s just to give you a glimpse of what you can work on with a professional Strength and Conditioning Coach!

Esports and brain performance optimization

Of course every pro gamer wants to be the best. A simple yet effective way of improving an esport athlete’s performance is to “rewire” his/her brain!

This does not mean that you haywire some neurons…it’s a metaphorical meaning!

How can you do that? Well, I’ll give you a little glimpse of how I do it, by correcting/improving visual perception.

As I write more in detail in my article about my Brain Coach Performance Certification:

“ (…) it simply has to do with basic human anatomy and how your brain is wired. How you observe and process the world you live in, particularly visually. What you see, in terms of sensory impulses, and HOW this information is perceived and processed in the correspondent part of your brain (visual cortex) determines your motoric actions!

According to that, postural problems are not always and only limited to misalignments of your musculoskeletal system, but most likely due to neuromuscular problems, especially problems with sensory perception through the eyes.” (Stoesslein, 2020).

In a nutshell, this means if an esport athlete receives misaligned information due to eye divergence, this will result in asynchronous visual information procession. This, in turn, will lead to slower information processing which inevitably will lead to slower reaction time.

And we all know that in esports it’s all about speed! You might have the best reaction time on your hardware (super-fast screen and keyboard) but if you are simply not performing on your best due to slow neuromuscular control, bad neurotransmitter distribution, diet issues etc. (the list is long) you will waste a lot of potential optimization!

Esports – Secret to success

Nowadays people are always looking for short-cuts. They don’t want to learn something properly but want to know how something works, explained best in just one sentence.

According to that, and the drastically decreasing attention span I’ll give you (at least some “ingredients”) of my “magic formula”, concerning strength training for esports:

  • Grip strength
  • Neck strength
  • Electromechanical delay

In a nutshell, these are, by far, the most neglected and overlooked factors when it comes to esport performance. Of course an esport athlete doesn’t have to be as “yoked” as Mike Tyson at his prime but a “pencil neck” won’t do the job either.

Especially when we think 20 years ahead, when the average retiring age of professional esport athletes might rise from mid-twenties to, let’s say around 40 or even above.

Considering posture and grip strength might even predict the longevity of an individual, not only in esports. There are countless studies which say that grip strength is a better vital parameter for longevity than blood pressure!

More about the importance of grip strength, how to measure and implement it in a strength and conditioning training (for esports), can be found in my article:

HANDKRAFT MESSEN – HAST DU ALLES IM GRIFF? (German)

If you like to receive an English translation, please email to: info@bernd-stoesslein.de

The third “ingredient” on my list is something called “electromechanical delay”, in human skeletal muscle under concentric and eccentric contractions. Think of the following:

In contraction of skeletal muscle a delay exists between the onset of electrical activity and measurable tension. This delay in electromechanical coupling has been stated to be between 30 and 100 ms.”(Cavanagh & Komi, 1979).

Wouldn’t it make sense to improve/maintain/enhance that speed? Remember, the margin between winning and losing in esports is super small! Therefore optimizing the fracture of a second will determine whether you win or lose a lot of money!

Of course there is a ton more of optimization potential. Lots of more useful tools and techniques, but you will understand that this article is supposed to “whet your appetite” for more!

If you want to get a professional coaching/consulting (online/offline) please feel free to contact me:

info@bernd-stoesslein.de

Esports Performance Continuum

Of course a single blog article is far too short to tell you all about Strength and Conditioning Coaching for esports. Yet, I’d like to give you some input how to start and what the most important things are, from my expertise.

Considering the training of an esport athlete, a very important point comes into play! The periodization of the athlete’s training. What do you train when and how? Is there an in-season, and off-season, how do you schedule strength training etc. etc. etc….

I will give you my basic PERFORMANCE CONTINUUM FOR ESPORTS on which you can build on specific programming:

  1. Assess and Correct
  2. Enable full ROM
  3. Stabilize full ROM
  4. Load full ROM
  5. Load & Link bodily segments
  6. Load segments & start focusing on improving velocity
  7. Load segments + further increase velocity
  8. Unload segments + keep on increasing velocity

Esports and Soft Tissue Treatment

When it comes to esports there is one big issue every professional Strength and Conditioning Coach must pay attention to: How to assess and correct movement restrictions!

This is my Number One on my PERFORMANCE CONTINUUM FOR ESPORTS!If you fail to assess and correct a pro gamers movement restriction all the other listed points cannot be addressed in a proper fashion! Therefore “first things first”!

Remember this blog article is the “finger in the eye approach” of how and where to start if you either want to coach professional esport athletes or you are/want to become a pro gamer and are searching for info how to get coached.

The best, so called Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) tool, due to my expertise, is the Heskiers All-In massage tool.

Heskiers All-In-One massage tool + method is a special designed IASTM tool and soft tissue treatment, developed by Danish acupuncturist and designer Martin Heskier.

So, you might wonder if the Heskiers tool is just another IASTM tool out there. To make a long story short: it is, BUT it is one of a kind!

How do I know? Because besides working as a strength coach/personal-trainer, I do also work as something that is called “Heilpraktiker” in Germany. A proper translation in English would be something like “complementary and alternative medicine practitioner”.

It’s a unique profession that, in this constellation, is only available in Germany and in modification in Switzerland. You’re allowed to diagnose and treat patients (with restrictions), even with invasive techniques, i.e. like giving injections, infusions etc.

Therefore, I’m also allowed to treat patients with acupuncture- and of course acupressure-techniques. According to that I’ve been using lots of IASTM tools in all kinds of variations + massage guns and other devices.

I’ve also been certified by my mentor Charles R. Poliquin aka “Strength Sensei” (R.I.P.) as a Certified Kinetic Chain Enhancement Practitioner.

Esports  – The most important task of a Coach

So, with all the info you already received, what do you think is THE most important task of a Strength and Conditioning Coach for esports? It’s to keep the athlete save from injuries and ready to perform at his/her best!

Strength and Conditioning Coaching is different from coaching “joe average”. A coaching that focuses on athletics intents to spare energy instead of trying to burn as much calories as possible!

You must pay attention to the energy system that are used during an esport competition and how you can improve an athlete’s movement economy!

These energy systems have to be considered:

  • Phosphagen
  • Glycolytic
  • Aerobic

Considering the fact that esports are most of the time done while sitting, the aerobic system won’t be competition winning thing to focus on, right? Wrong!

Training the aerobic system will also benefit the anaerobic (phosphagen and glycolytic) systems!

Just by giving you a glimpse of the myriads of things that can be improved in a professional gamer’s life, should open your eyes on how much potential is hidden in this sport.

Both, for the Strength and Conditioning Coach AND the pro gamer! Due to my experience and expertise neither the Coach nor the esport athlete.

Most likely that’s the case as they come from different ends of the continuum of sports, or maybe really from different “worlds”.  

But why not combining the best of two worlds to create something new?

I hope my article lays the foundation for the collaboration of professional Strength and Conditioning Coaches and professional esport players to work together!

Conclusion

Let’s come to a conclusion. Are esports something that can be considered to be a serious “sport”?

Well, that kind of depends on your definition of “serious” and “sport”. From the perspective of economics, esports far surpass lots of “traditional” sports.

From the perspective of a “real” athlete that has a lot more physical involvement some might say: no!

But the same could be said about other sports like horse riding, car driving or chess!

Being a professional means “leaving no stone unturned”! Who cares what other people think? If you want to be a professional game player, respectively esport athlete, go for it!

But you should/could be the one who thinks outside the box! Think of the benefits it would bring to you and your team to hire a professional Strength and Conditioning Coach!

If you like to book an online consulting with me to learn more about strength and conditioning, nutrition, brain coaching, supplements etc. for esports please feel free to send me an E-Mail to:

info@bernd-stoesslein.de

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Electromechanical delay in human skeletal muscle under concentric and eccentric contractions, P R Cavanagh, P V Komi, Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol . 1979 Nov;42(3):159-63. doi: 10.1007/BF00431022.

Literature

Brain Coach Performance Certification, source: https://www.bernd-stoesslein.de/2020/07/22/posturepro-brain-coach-performance-certification-review/, access from 26.08.2020.

PSO-RITE (affiliate link) is a u-shaped device designed for working on your psoas muscles. In this article I will cover a holistic view on this topic and you will gain information about where the M. psoas is located, why some people consider it to be the “soul muscle” and how you can use the PSO-RITE properly. We will also discuss the PSO-RITE’s “siblings”, the PSO-SPINE and the PSO-MINI! I invite you to join me on this “lovely dance” we’re going to perform on our journey to the “power psoas”. Hopefully, I can help you to unlock your full potential by guiding you through some psoas exercises and some spiritual impulses concerning this “miraculous” muscle.

Let’s begin…

PSO-RITE – hidden like the “dark knight”

I really like to use a little pun here and there, to give the benevolent reader a more sophisticated reading experience. The pun in the header (dark knight) is referred to the “dark knight”, better known as Batman, just in case you wondered 😉

This pun, though, has a particular reason. I chose it as the M. psoas major is really “hidden” deep inside us. It’s a muscle that cannot be seen superficially nor is it easy to be touched!

To be precise it “(…)is a long fusiform muscle located in the lateral lumbar region between the vertebral column and the brim of the lesser pelvis. It joins the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas. In animals, this muscle is equivalent to the tenderloin.” (Wikipedia, 2020)

But what does “psoas” actually mean and where does it come from? Well, the term psoas derives from Greek psoa = “meat of the loin”, respectively “muscle of the lumbar region” (Becher et al., 1995).

Now that we know where the medical term originates, we’ll take a look of what the psoas is supposed to do, again from an anatomical/school medical point of view.

Again, our first approach is Mr. “know-it all”, aka Wikipedia. There you will find the following:

The psoas major joins the upper body and the lower body, the axial to the appendicular skeleton, the inside to the outside, and the back to the front. As part of the iliopsoas, psoas major contributes to flexion in the hip joint. On the lumbar spine, unilateral contraction bends the trunk laterally, while bilateral contraction raises the trunk from its supine position. In addition, attachment to the lesser trochanter, located on the postero-medial aspect of the femur, causes lateral rotation and weak adduction of the hip. It forms part of a group of muscles called the hip flexors, whose action is primarily to lift the upper leg towards the body when the body is fixed or to pull the body towards the leg when the leg is fixed.” (Wikipedia).

Sounds fancy, right? But what does it mean? Well, let’s take a closer look and decrypt the most important of these medical terms.

First, ap/pendicular derives from Latin pendere = to hang, to hag, to sag (Becher et al., 1995).

The ilio/psoas is the combination of the  Latin prefix ili(o) = “belonging to the iliac bone” and the aforementioned psoas (Becher et al., 1995). Therefore the ilio/psoas is a more or less grown together of two muscles, the M. iliacus and the M. psoa becoming the: Ili(o)psoas.

How much these muscles are grown together differs from human to human.

Picture description: Anterior Hip Muscles 2.PGN, Beth ohara, CC BY-SA 3.0, 31 Jan.,2006.

The picture above will give you a quite good example of how tight/narrow the Iliacus and the Psoas Major are located plus that they are often, at least partially, grown together.

Due to reasons of volume we will keep the other displayed anterior hip muscles aside, as we’ll focus on the psoas and keep the anatomical excurse to a minimal effective dosage 😉

Just bear in mind that on top of the displayed muscles in the image above you also have different layers of abdominal muscles. That’s why it is rather hard to “get in touch” with your psoas.

As one of the major anatomical functions of the psoas is to perform a hip flexion it should be no wonder why it is often to be found too tight!

When you enter this realm, which we call earth, respectively reality, you are born into flexion. According to that, you are struggling, literally from day one to work against that. In a physical, as well as in a spiritual and psychological manner.

Just think of the English word “live” spelled backwards…take all the time you need 😉

You have to develop a proper posture, your own conscious mind and you must fight against extensive inward rotation due to prone sitting, driving, “smart phone posture” etc., you get the point.

If you want to learn more about the importance of posture and what a “proper posture” is considered to be, you may read my articles:

·      POSTUREPRO BRAIN COACH PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION REVIEW

·      ALIGNMENT FROM 🗣️ HEAD TO TOES 👣

·      FREO FOOT CARE SYSTEM REVIEW

It is not uncommon that the Psoas is part of something called: “lower cross syndrome”. An “issue in the tissue”, and posture, that will result in an anterior pelvic tilt, a too tight (ilio)psoas, a crosswise tight erector spinae and, on the other “cross” too weak abdominals and too weak gluteus maximus.

When I write: “it is rather hard to “get in touch” with your psoas”, do you know what a great kind of transition that is?

Well in a couple of minutes I’ll hopefully contribute to your enlightenment.

PSO-RITE – Are you emotionally tight?

Speaking of the psoas you now got a glimpse of what this “bad boy” is capable of doing, at least from an anatomical point of view. Now let’s ascend and experience the psoas from a total different perspective, a spiritual one!

Can you think of muscles in a spiritual sense?! Sure, why not?

According to Liz Koch’s amazing work, the psoas is far more than a core stabilizer and/or a hip flexor muscle!

It is an “organ” of perception composed of bio-intelligent tissue and “literally embodies our deepest urge for survival, and more profoundly, our elemental desire to flourish.”

Furthermore, Koch and others have contributed to the view of the psoas as influencer to your (emotional) health, state of being and vitality.

In Yoga the psoas even is considered to be the “muscle of the soul”. Is it that absurd to think of a too tight (ilio)psoas being the result of a chronically (over) stimulated sympathic nervous system?

I wonder if a tight psoas does not only contribute to faulty posture and restricted movement patterns but ultimately reflects a “tightened” soul? Does the body function as kind of ultra-dense signal transmitter of your soul? 

Would a release of a tight psoas help in “calming” your sympathic nervous system? Resulting in a physical AND psychical/spiritual release?

I keep this open for debate and your constructive comments below this article. Please feel free to share your ideas about that approach!

Apropos, the psoas is, by all means, not the only muscle associated with your soul! The ancient Greek belief was that what we call “the soul” was also to be found within your dia/phragm. That’s what the term schizo/phrenic derives from!

As the belief goes your dia/phragm inheres your soul. Let’s use another brief decryption of those Latin, respectively Greek terms to see what that “fuzz” is all about.

The term dia/phragm is a combination of the Latin prefix dia = through and the suffix phragma, respectively Greek diaphragma = “partion wall” (Becher et al., 1995).

Moreover, diaphragm and phren describe the same muscle, on the one hand you have Latin (diaphragm) and on the other you have the Greek term  = phren (Becher et al., 1995).

In addition to that, you have another Greek term: schizein = to split, to divide (Becher et al., 1995).

Now, let’s connect schizein with phren and, voila you get: schizo/phrenic, which exactly describes what it is supposed to be: a divided/split apart personality, respectively soul!

Concerning the psoas and its “soul connection” I highly recommend you to read the books of Liz Koch, especially:

PSO-RITE – How to use it

Let’s take a look at the PSO-RITE device and how it works. It’s a specially designed, u-shaped device. Simple to describe but not always easy to use!

In the video below I show you a brief demonstration of how the PSO-RITE is supposed to work:

In case you want to skip the video, here’s my short manual:

  • Place the PSO-RITE on a non-slipping surface
  • Locate the location of your (ilio)psoas (take a look at the picture above)
  • Lay on the PSO-RITE, resting on your forearms
  • Just get a gentle feeling of the PSO-RITE “diving” into your tissue
  • Take your time and get used to the feeling, there’s no need to hurry!
  • Breath out and let the PSO-RITE sink in further
  • If you feel any pain immediately stop the exercise!
  • If you feel comfortable you might lower your upper body to the ground (keep your palms besides you, this will help you getting up more easy)
  • Try to gently move up and down as well as side-to-side with your hips
  • Limit the hold of a position to a max of 60 sec. until you get more experienced

PSO-RITE – When to use it?

Now that you have an idea HOW the PSO-RITE is supposed to be used the question arises WHEN do you best use it. Well, of course, this question has to be answered with: “it depends”.

It depends on how severe your “issue in the tissue” is. If you suffer from any pathologies like the aforementioned “upper cross syndrome” i.e. you might use it more frequently than someone with pretty good psoas flexibility.

Please, also keep in mind that a manipulation of the psoas might also contribute to a release of your emotional “traps” or at least might release constant stress by “freeing” you from a chronic state of being in “Fight- or Flight” mode!

This is only my opinion and I did not come up with that, but from a holistical point of view it makes total sense! Just don’t take my words for granted, do your own research and see if all this makes sense to YOU!

PSO-SPINE – Feeling fine?

The PSO-SPINE company didn’t stop with thinking of the psoas, they also came up with another “cool tool”, called the PSO-SPINE!

Basically it’s the opposite approach of the PSO-RITE, as its intention is to work the back muscles, especially those around your spine.

I highly recommend you to invest in the total bundle. The PSO-RITE, the PSO-SPINE and the PSO-MINI. Just because I think that you always have to see the “bigger picture”.

It doesn’t stop with just treating a too “tight” psoas. Not from a physiological, nor from a psychological/spiritual point of view. You should incorporate “the whole thing”.

According to that, it ultimately makes sense for me that “issue in the tissue” (tight erector spinae) can also be some unsolved emotional problems and/or the result of faulty movement patterns.

Therefore having the right “tools” in your “health tool box” will enhance your possibilities of working on your problems.

PSO-MINI – The all-rounder?

The PSO-MINI is not round, but it seems to be the most versatile of the three PSO-RITE products. With the other ones being specialists, the PSO-MINI is the “all-rounder”.

Due to its rather small size, firmness and shape, its strength lies in its miscellaneous usability.

I use it for working on trigger points. That’s where I see the PSO-MINI’s biggest advantage. But, again, that’s only my opinion.

Do you have special issues you could solve with this tool? I’d be happy if you share it with me and the readers of this article!

Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg also seems to be a fan of the PSO-RITE (see picture), as well as famous Podcast-host Joe Rogan.

Picture description: Copyright PSO-RITE.

PSO-RITE REVIEW CONCLUSION

In the end you always want to know whether something is only an expense or an investment.

To make a long story short: the tools of the PSO-RITE family are a great investment, speaking from my own experience!

By the way, otherwise I would not have taken the time (as time is a kind of “energy-currency”, too) to write a whole article. I’m not that kind of human who invests time in something he doesn’t like and takes even more time telling other people why he dislikes it so much…

Thinking of the psoas as “the soul muscle” is a lovely approach that really fits well into my understanding of what we tend to call “world”, as I also work as a “Heilpraktiker” (complementary and alternative medicine practitioner).

I incorporated the PSO-RITE and the other mentioned tools into my daily routine as well as in the work with my patients and clients.

Hopefully this article contributes to your decision whether to invest in these “cool tools” in a positive manner.

Thanks for taking your precious time and reading my article, much appreciated!

I wish you an energetic time, see you soon!

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Psoas major muscle, source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoas_major_muscle, access from 11.8.20.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 68.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 161.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 167.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 181.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 196.

Optimo Fitness Ergonomics are specially designed grips to enhance your way of gripping. These “cool tools” can be used on pretty much any regular Barbell, Dumbbell and/or cable attachments. They do even work with cambered bars! In this article you will learn about these special grips and why I have them in my “special grip training toolbox”.

Optimo Fitness Ergonomics – the better grip?

Ok, if you follow my blog you will have noticed, that I am kind of obsessed with gripping devices. Why? Because, speaking from the perspective of a Strength and Conditioning Coach,  there are two things that are heavily neglected, Neck- and Grip-Training! 

If you want to learn more about thick grip implements and other special stuff, please feel free to read the following articles:

So why another pair of grips, you ask? Well, why not?! Too much cool grip implements are never enough! Progression is one of the keys to success. For me training must be fun, too, and I get bored very fast.

That’s why I need lots of “cool tools”, especially grip tools to keep my training diversified. Furthermore, having lots of grips in your “gym-toolbox” is very space-saving. You don’t need lots of space and can take your grips, like the Optimo Grips, wherever you go.

They  come in a nice mini-gym bag, really to “hit the road/gym” with you whenever you need a pump.

Optimo grips, source: own picture.

Optimo Fitness Ergonomics – Where’s the difference?

At last, now the question arises what the “fuzz” is all about these particular grips. Well, from my point of view, they’re not intended to be “fat grip” implements. That means, that they’re not designed to thicken the diameter of a bar, but to make the grip more ergonomic!

Ha ha ha, you will probably laugh. Isn’t that obvious? As their name is “Optimo”?! Well, hold your breath as we now dig into the meaning of ergo/nomic and the question WHAT “optimal” is supposed to be!

Let’s start with the etymology (word origin) of the word ergo/nomic. Everybody probably “knows” what the term ergonomic describes but could you give an actual definition?

If not, hang in there. I’ll help you out! The term ergo/nomic derives from Greek ergon = Work, act(ion), activity; and the Greek suffix nomos = custom/rite, law, act, statute (Becher et al., 1995).

Having decrypted this term, we now know that ergonomic, literally translated”, means something like “work that is done according to statutes”.

In the sense of gripping it means that a handle (Optimo Grips) is designed to properly work in “alignment” of the shape of your hands.

To put it in other words: the Optimo Grips are not only cylindrically shaped, but instead have little “wings” in order to enhance your gripping. A proper way of gripping, so to speak.

Optimo Grips on a dumbbell, source: Optimo Fitness Ergonomics.

Optimo Fitness Ergonomics – Let’s do some functional anatomy

To understand the benefit the Optimo Grips might bring to you and your training, we have to do a brief bound in anatomy.

Actually the muscles of the hand are quite numerous. Not a wonder as they have to perform a myriad of functions, especially when it comes to fine-motor skills!

Anyhow, I’d like to stick to the K.I.S.S.-Principle, Keep It Short and Simple. I also work in Germany as a “Heilpraktiker” (Complementary and alternative medicine practitioner).

Quite a unique thing that allows me (with restrictions) to diagnose and treat diseases, do invasive stuff like injections, infusions etc.

I’m writing that to show you that I have extensive knowledge in human anatomy and that this article is not written by a 15 year old “keyboard-hero” who just invested 5 minutes into some internet “copy and paste clickbait” crap.

According to my expertise – and practical implementation of them “out of the trenches”, the Optimo grips give you a cutting edge advantage when it comes to a more…let’s say “stable” grip.

How to use toe Optimo Grips, source: Optimo Fitness Ergonomics.

How does that work, you ask? Well it works by the little “wings” the grips have. These “wings” broaden the grips which results in proper support, especially of these structures, at least according to my point of view:

  • M. palmaris brevis
  • M. adductor digiti minimi
  • M. flexor digiti minimi
  • Aponeurosis palmaris (not sure)

So, according to my expertise that’s the “fuzz” of the Optimo grips and what distinguishes them from other grip implements out there!

To be honest, at first I was really sceptical and my impression was: “wow, they’re really flexible!” (compared to other grip implements, like Cone- and/or Fat Gripz).

After having tested them for quite some extensive time and with several barbells, dumbbells, and different other cable attachments I come to the resume that they do really work great!

Even on a cambered “Buffalo Bar” they perform very well.

Conclusion Optimo Fitness Ergonomics

Of course all my articles  have a conclusion in which I answer the most important question of all: “Are they worth the investment?”, and: “Should you buy a pair?” As you probably know there’s a difference between value and a price so I skip an explanation here.

Due to the fact that I am a huge grip training fan I’d say that these grips were an absolute investment. Moreover, they are very pricy. A pair of Optimos is sold for $39,95.

I highly recommend you to get a pair and enhance your “gym-toolbox” for more variety and to prevent you from stagnation.

In addition to that, as mentioned before, you probably will also experience a better support of your hand muscles, especially during pressing movements.

The muscles that are better supported, in comparison to cylindrical grips, are: M. palmaris brevis, M. adductor digiti minimi and the M. flexor digiti minimi.

If you like to book an online consulting with me to learn more about strength and conditioning, nutrition etc. please feel free to send me an E-Mail to:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 76.

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 147.

Yo-Yo DESK® 120 – die Stehtischerweiterung, die praktisch jeden herkömmlichen Tisch in einen Stehtisch transformieren kann. Mittels Gasfedern lässt sich dieses „cool tool“ so gut wie stufenlos auf 15 unterschiedliche Höhen anpassen. Ein „Gesundheitswerkzeug“, das wohl nicht nur eingefleischte Biohacker-Herzen höher schlagen lässt!

In diesem, weiteren „Hinter den Kulissen-Beitrag“ zeige ich dem geneigten Leser, warum, aus meiner Sicht, das Arbeiten an einem Stehtisch wie dem Yo-Yo® DESK 120 die bessere Art des Sitzens ist! Vielleicht ist Sitzen ja auch das „neue Rauchen“? In diesem, meinem Erfahrungsbericht beschreibe ich im Detail, warum ich in meinem Arbeitszimmer nun einen Yo-Yo DESK® stehen habe, wie ich diesen für das Arbeiten und Lernen nutze und noch viel mehr.

Viel Spaß beim Lesen…

Yo-Yo DESK® 120 – Was ist eigentlich ein Stehtisch?

Da ich immer wieder danach gefragt werde, welche „Biohacking-Werkzeuge“ ich auch für meine Büroarbeit, respektive das Arbeiten am Computer, nutze, startete ich bereits letztes Jahr meine „Hinter den Kulissen“-Artikelserie.

Diese umfasst u.a. bereits Artikel über:

Mittlerweile umfasst diese also bereits so einige Artikel und das Interesse, an den von mir genutzten „gadgets“, wächst und wächst.

Da ich mir nun einen Stehtisch von Yo-Yo® DESK 120 zugelegt habe, ist dieser natürlich prädestiniert für einen weiteren „behind the scenes“-Artikel.

Doch bevor wir uns „en detail“ mit dem Yo-Yo® DESK 120 beschäftigen, klären wir erst einmal die Frage danach, was denn ein Stehtisch überhaupt ist, respektive, ob man sich nun einen komplett neuen Schreibtisch ins Arbeitszimmer stellen muss oder nicht…

Stehtische gibt es in den unterschiedlichsten Formen, weswegen ich mich im vorliegenden Artikel, aus Gründen des Umfangs, nur auf den von mir genutzten Stehtisch der Firma Sit-Stand.com, respektive das Modell Yo-Yo® DESK 120 fokussieren werde.

Für das Arbeiten an einem Stehschreibtisch empfiehlt sich ein externer Monitor, in passender Größe und Distanz!

Wer darüber nachdenkt, sich einen Stehtisch zuzulegen, dem bietet sich also die Möglichkeit, (s)einen herkömmlichen Schreib- oder auch sonstigen Tisch (passende Größe und Stabilität vorausgesetzt)  ganz einfach in einen Stehtisch zu transformieren.

Denn der Yo-Yo® DESK 120 wird einfach auf den bereits vorhandenen Tisch gestellt. Somit entfällt die Notwendigkeit, sich einen komplett neuen Tisch anzuschaffen.

Wie bereits erwähnt, existieren auch bei Yo-Yo® DESK 120 aber unterschiedliche Modelle (in Größe und Form), unter denen sich auch „echte“ Stehtische und sogar ein Yo-Yo® BIKE befinden, für die kein vorhandener Tisch benötigt wird.

Eine Auflistung aller erwerbbaren Modelle (Stand August 2020) findet der geneigte Leser unter der offiziellen Webseite von YO-YO DESK.

Doch zurück zum Yo-Yo® DESK 120 und den Fragen:

„Warum eigentlich überhaupt ein Stehtisch?“…Wieso sollte man herumstehen, wenn man, wie ich gerade, z.B. einen Blogartikel konzipiert, Rechnungen schreibt oder vielleicht andere „Büroaktivitäten“ durchführen will/muss?!

Warum nicht einfach nach einem neuen/besseren oder bequemeren Stuhl Ausschau halten??

Nun, weil (exzessives) Sitzen nun mal so seine Tücken hat! Um dies näher zu erläutern, müssen wir etwas zurückgehen, nämlich im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes an den Tag eins unserer Existenz.

Geboren werden wir alle in sogenannte Flexions- oder Embryostellung. Das bedeutet, dass wir eine Dominanz unserer Flexoren (Beugemuskeln) haben.

Bekanntlich kommen wir Menschlein ja auch recht unfertig auf die Welt, zumindest im direkten Vergleich zu anderen Säugetieren!

Das Krabbeln und den aufrechten Gang müssen wir uns ja erst erarbeiten. Doch damit nicht getan, müssen wir uns nicht nur physisch, sondern auch psychisch, emotional und spirituell in der Welt, in der wir leben, behaupten.

Wir müssen uns „gerade machen“, uns behaupten, uns ein Rückgrat „wachsen“ lassen, die Brust rausstrecken und bekanntlich den Bauch einziehen, um eine „gute“ Figur zu machen.

Sprüche und Redensarten wie diese und andere kennen wir alle. Doch an ihnen ist wirklich etwas Wahres!

Darüber hinaus leben wir nicht nur in einer Welt, in der man sich irgendwann entscheiden muss, ob man lieber Schaf oder Wolf sein will, sondern bedienen wir uns auch vieler Bequemlichkeiten.

So sind wir permanent am Sitzen, was – oh Wunder – wieder die Flexoren (Beugemuskeln) aktiviert, die uns in eine Innenrotation bringen.

Wir fahren alle zu lange und zu viel Auto, sitzen in Zügen, Bussen und anderen Transportmitteln, während der Arbeit (zumindest die Allermeisten), Zuhause, in der Freizeit und und und…ich denke der Leser hat begriffen, worauf ich hinaus will.

Nun braucht man wirklich kein Genie zu sein oder profunde Kenntnisse in menschlicher Anatomie besitzen, um zu realisieren, dass einseitige Bewegungen – ohne entsprechenden Ausgleich – auf Dauer wohl mehr Schaden anrichten als Nutzen stiften werden!

So verhält es sich, aus meiner Sicht, auch mit dem Sitzen am Schreibtisch.

Die Schwierigkeiten ergeben sich meist dadurch, dass die meisten Schreibtische und -stühle weder auf die individuelle Körpergröße noch auf die Anatomie angepasst sind.

 Wie auch? Nicht jedes Großraumbüro wird seinen, oft in winzigen Parzellen vor sich hinvegetierenden, Mitarbeitern extra Stühle und Tische anbieten. Bei solchen Zuständen könnte man, sarkastischer Weise, ja schon von „Massenmenschhaltung“ sprechen…

Zivilisationskrankheit – Upper- & lower cross syndrome

Da ich nicht nur als Strength & Conditioning-Coach/Personal-Trainer arbeite, sondern auch als Heilpraktiker,  begegnen mir in meinem Praxisalltag immer mehr Menschen, die entweder an dem sogenannten „Upper-Cross“ und/oder „Lower-Cross“ Syndrom leiden.

Was hat es damit auf sich und „leide ich vielleicht selber an diesen Syndromen“? Nun aus der Ferne sollte und darf natürlich niemand eine Diagnose stellen, oder witziger formuliert: „Durch die Hose keine Diagnose“!

Meiner Expertise und Erfahrung nach, trägt exzessives Sitzen allerdings stark zur Begünstigung der oben genannten Syndrome bei und wer viel am Schreibtisch arbeiten will/muss, der sollte unbedingt über den Einsatz eines Stehtisches wie den Yo-Yo® DESK 120 nachdenken!

Doch nun in aller Kürze zu den mysteriösen „Cross-Syndromen! Hiervon, wie möge es auch anders sein, gleich zwei an der Zahl!

Zum einen das upper-, und zum anderen, das sogenannte lower-cross Syndrome. Nicht selten treten aber beide gleichzeitig auf!

Das Upper-Cross Syndrome

Um das upper-cross syndrome (UCS) besser begreifen zu können, müssen wir einen kleine, aber notwendige Exkursion in die menschliche Anatomie unternehmen.

Kurz, und salopp formuliert, sieht man mit einem UCS (je nach Stärke der Ausprägung) aus wie der Glöckner von Notre Dame!

Ein deutlicher Buckel, nach vorne gezogene und nach innenrotierte Schultern. Woran liegt’s? Nun, an Vielerlei.

Zum einen natürlich, wie bereits beschrieben, dass wir in einer „Innenrotierten-Welt“ leben (Sitzen, Autofahren, aufs Smartphone Herunterblicken usw.) und an mangelnder „strukturellen Balance“.

Das bedeutet, dass einige Muskeln sich unter Dauerspannung befinden, wohingegen sich andere nicht (mehr) richtig „ansteuern“ lassen oder einfach zu schwach (geworden) sind.

Dadurch schränkt sich natürlich die Beweglichkeit im Schultergürtel, der Rotatorenmanschette und auch dem Kopf-Halsbereich mit der Zeit sukzessiv weiter ein!

Doch damit nicht genug. Denn wer mehr als 365 Tage in dieser, oder einer anderen Fehlhaltung verharrt, dessen Gehirn wird diesen Zustand „überschreiben“ und als „das neue Normal“ interpretieren.

Wobei es sich hier nun um Ursache und wobei es sich um ein Syndrom handelt, kommt der fortwährenden Diskussion gleich, was zuerst kam, Henne oder Ei.

Aus meiner Expertise resultiert das UCS, genau wie das lower cross syndrome (LCS) aus Folgendem:

  • Mangelnde und falsche/einseitige Bewegung
  • Schlechte (unphysiologische) Arbeitsbedingungen
  • Exzessives Sitzen ohne adäquaten Ausgleich
  • Zu wenig/kein absolviertes Krafttraining (weder muskuläre Koordination noch -kontrolle)
  • Psychische und seelische Probleme

Ein klassisches UPS äußert sich in der Regel durch zu „dichte“/verspannte Muskeln und zu schwache (weak) bzw. nicht mehr richtig „rekrutierbare“ bzw. „gehemmte“ Muskeln.

Je nach Literatur zählen zum UCS zu schwache Muskeln:

  • Tiefe Nackenflexoren (zu schwach)
  • Muskeln des „mittleren“ Rückens (Rhomboiden, serratus anterior)

Zu starke/überbeanspruchte Muskeln

  • Brustmuskulatur (pectoralis major)
  • Oberer Rücken (Trapez, levator scapulae)

Das lower cross syndrome

Das lower cross syndrome (LCS) ist, ganz einfach erklärt, das Pendant zum UCS, nur eben nicht im Schulter-, sondern nun im Beckengürtel. Äquivalent zum UCS zeichnet sich auch das LCS durch überkreuzt zu schwache und zu starke/überbeanspruchte Muskeln aus.

Je nach Literatur zählen zum LCS zu schwache Muskeln:

  • Schwache (weak) Abdominalmuskulatur (Bauchmuskeln)
  • Schwacher (weak) Gesäßmuskel (glutaeus maximus)

Zu starke (tight)/überbeanspruchte Muskeln

  • Unterer Rücken (errector spinae)
  • Hüftbeuger (Iliopsoas)

Mehr über die Besonderheit des (Ilio)psoas und was dieser mit dem Sitz der Seele zu tun hat, erfährt der geneigte Leser in einem anderen meiner Artikel.

Link Psoas Artikel

Selbst wer mit den medizinisch-anatomischen Begrifflichkeiten nicht vertraut ist, der hat nun sicher erkannt, dass es sich sowohl beim upper- wie auch beim lower cross syndrome um zwei Ausprägungen des selben (Zivilisations)Problems handelt – exzessives Sitzen ohne geeigneten Ausgleich!

Doch was kann man nun dagegen unternehmen? Nun, zum einen natürlich für ausreichend Bewegung sorgen. Sinnvoll strukturiertes Krafttraining ist aus meiner Sicht hier entscheidend, doch dies soll nicht Gegenstand dieses Artikels sein.

Aufgrund dessen empfehle ich jedem, der mehr darüber wissen will, sich die über 150 meiner anderen kostenlosen Blogartikel durchzulesen. Hier ist mittlerweile nahezu zu jedem Thema etwas dabei.

Tonnenweise Informationsmaterial, wohlgemerkt alles kostenfrei! Selbstredend existiert ferner die Möglichkeit einer Konsultation meinerseits (entweder on- oder auch offline). Sowohl im Rahmen meiner Trainertätigkeit (info@bernd-stoesslein.de) oder als Patient meiner Heilpraktiker-Praxis (info@heilpraktiker-stoesslein.de).

Doch zurück zur Frage, was man nun tisch-technisch zur Vorbeugung der genannten Syndrome unternehmen kann?

Nun, die Frage ist wohl eher rhetorischer Natur, da es sich im vorliegenden Artikel ja um (m)einen Erfahrungsbericht eines Stehtisches handelt 😉

Nachdem ich den Yo-Yo® DESK 120 vor Publikation dieses Artikels ausführlich habe testen können, muss ich gestehen, dass das Arbeiten im Stehen tatsächlich angenehmer ist als das permanente Sitzen!

Anfangs war ich doch etwas skeptisch, aber bereits nach der ersten Woche ohne Sitzen am Schreibtisch, kam echte Begeisterung auf, die nach wie vor anhält.

Durch den Einsatz des Yo-Yo® DESK 120 habe ich auch meine über viele Jahre bewährte Lernmethode überdacht, respektive modifiziert.

Dazu nun mehr…

Yo-Yo® DESK 120 Lernen leicht(er) gemacht?

Da ich kein Fan von reinen Produktrezensionen bin, binde ich die von mir vorgestellten „tools“ immer gerne in einen größeren Zusammenhang ein. Ich schreibe bewusst nicht „das große Ganze“, da dies wohl etwas vermessen wäre.

Als leidenschaftlicher und professioneller „Consulting Biohacker“ freut es mich immer sehr, wenn ich eine von mir angewandte Methode/Technik optimieren oder durch eine effizientere ersetzen kann.

So war/ist es auch im Fall meines Yo-Yo® DESK 120 Stehtisches. Wie das? Nun, da ich mich konstant aus-, fort- und weiterbilde lerne ich im Prinzip jeden Tag, oftmals mehrere Stunden.

Ich, wärend der Konzeption dieses Artikels, an meinem Yo-Yo DESK 120, Quelle: eigenes Foto.

In unserer multimedialen Zeit sind Dinge wie das Internet bekanntlich Fluch und Segen zugleich und um den Einsatz eines Computers kommt man wohl nicht mehr herum. Will man aber wohl auch nicht…

Ich war und bin immer ein großer Befürworter der sogenannten „Pomodoro-Technik“ (zu Deutsch: „Tomaten-Technik“ gewesen.

In aller Kürze handelt es sich bei der vom Italiener  Francesco Cirillo in den 1980er Jahren entwickelten Technik um eine Lernmethode.

Hierbei lernt man 25 Minuten unter maximaler Konzentration, welche dann für 5 minütige Pausen unterbrochen werden.

In den 5 Minuten Pause habe ich mich dann immer von meinem Stuhl erhoben und ein paar Mobilitätsübungen gemacht oder bin einfach durch die Wohnung gelaufen.

Die Devise lautete auf jeden Fall: Maximal 25 Minuten konzentrieren und dann auf keinen Fall sitzen in den Pausen!

Mein Yo-Yo® DESK 120 Stehtisch ersetzt nun die Phasen, in denen ich gesessen habe, die Mobilitätstechnik habe ich beibehalten. Somit handelt es sich beim Einsatz meines Stehtisches also um eine „getunte“ Version der „Pomodoro-Technik“.

Für alle, die sich fragen, warum die Technik nach einer Tomate benannt wurde, die offensichtlich keine Bewandtnis hat, sei gesagt, dass Cirillo (der Erfinder) die Zeit einfach mit einer Küchenuhr gemessen hatte, die die Form einer Tomate hatte.

Der Yo-Yo® DESK 120 fällt für mich demnach ganz klar in die Kategorie: „don’t work harder, work smarter“! Es geht also nicht darum, härter und mehr zu lernen, sondern die Effizienz zu steigern.

Sei es nun durch „tools“, wie einen Stehtisch oder durch Techniken, wie die „Pomodoro-Technik“.

Bevor ich Morgens lerne, meditiere ich meist etwa 30 Minuten, um meinen Kopf von meinen Gedanken zu befreien, mich zu „leeren“, um anschließend neues Wissen auch adäquat aufnehmen zu können!

Warum auch du – aus meiner Sicht – meditieren solltest, erfährst du in meinem fast gleichnamigen Artikel:

WARUM DU MEDITIEREN SOLLTEST – DEINE GEDANKEN ERSCHAFFEN DEINE REALITÄT!

Warum ich während der Meditation auch gerne Kaffee-Einläufe nutze, und was es mit diesen sonst noch auf sich hat, erfährst du in meinem Artikel:

MEIN PERFEKTER KAFFEE-EINLAUF ☕️

Eine weitere meiner Lerntechniken ist übrigens das Dekodieren von Sprache, insbesondere lateinisch-griechischer Begriffe aus der Medizin. Wie und warum ich das mache, um das zu Lernende besser zu durchdringen, kannst du in meinem Artikel

LATEINISCH-GRIECHISCHER WORTSCHATZ FÜR PERSONAL-TRAINER ? im Detail nachlesen. Wenn du dich für ein individuelles Consulting/Coaching interessierst, indem du lernst, effizienter zu lernen, dann schreibe mir eine E-Mail an:

info@bernd-stoesslein.de

Yo-Yo® DESK 120 – DER Stehschreibtisch?

Der von mir getestete Stehschreibtisch ist, mit knapp 120 (119) cm, der Größte aus der sogenannten „Klassik“ Reihe. Der Yo-Yo® DESK 120 ist ein echter „Brecher“ und wiegt satte 24,5 kg!

Diese muss er auch auf die Waage bringen, schließlich ist er ausgelegt für z.B. zwei externe Monitore und weiteres Equipment wie z.B. ein Notebook. Die exakten Maße betragen 119cm Breite x 78cm Tiefe.

Yo-Yo Desk Maße, Quelle: Sit-Stand.com®

Die optimale Körpergröße, um mit dem Yo-Yo® DESK 120 maximal effizient arbeiten zu können liegt, laut Hersteller, zwischen 150cm bis 183cm. Kleinere oder größere Menschen sollten auf den Yo-Yo® DESK SLIM, respektive den Yo-Yo® DESK GO ausweichen.

Der Yo-Yo® DESK 120 ist TÜV-zertifiziert und kommt mit einer Garantie von 3 Jahren! Die Gasfedern, welche links und rechts am Tisch mittels Hebel ganz einfach eingestellt werden können (siehe Bild), ermöglichen ein fast stufenloses Justieren auf die jeweilig gewünschte Höhe.

Eine der beiden seitlichen Gasfedern samt Griff, mit deren Hilfe sich der Yo-Yo® DESK 120 spielend leicht verstellen lässt, Quelle: eigenes Bild.

Laut Hersteller sind die Yo-Yo® Stehschreibtische auch die 1# der Stehschreibtische in Europa!

Yo-Yo® DESK 120 Fazit/Conclusio

So, wie lautet nun mein Fazit über den Yo-Yo® DESK 120? Lohnt sich die Investition? Lange Rede, aber auch langer Sinn: JA! Wieso, weshalb und warum habe ich aus meiner subjektiven Sicht in diesem Artikel bereits recht ausführlich erläutert.

Rein objektiv gesehen, und insbesondere unter der Berücksichtigung der geschilderten Syndrome (UPC & LCS), halte ich den Einsatz eines Stehschreibtisches wie den Yo-Yo® DESK 120 für absolut sinnvoll.

Nicht nur aufgrund dessen, spreche ich auch bewusst von einer Investition statt einer Ausgabe! Sicher, zunächst einmal stellen knapp 420 € für den Yo-Yo® DESK 120 eine Aufgabe dar.

Wenn man aber bedenkt, was man damit – aus meiner Expertise – allein präventiv und rehabilitativ für seine Gesundheit leisten kann, dann fällt dieser Stehschreibtisch in eine, wenn nicht DIE beste Investitionskategorie, die es gibt.

Welche das ist, höre ich den geneigten Leser leise denken? Nun, die Investition in das eigene Ich, respektive die eigene Gesundheit! Mit solch einer Investition liegt man immer goldrichtig!

Wer also unter den beispielhaft geschilderten Syndromen leidet, der sollte darüber nachdenken, ob diese nicht (auch) das Resultat oft jahrzehntelangen exzessiven und „falschen“ Sitzens sind!

Neben strukturiertem, individuellem und zielgerichtetem Krafttraining kann ein Stehtisch wie der Yo-Yo® DESK 120, aus meiner Sicht, ein wertvolles „Werkzeug“ für den eigenen „Gesundheitswerkzeugkasten“ darstellen!

Ich bin jedenfalls heilfroh, dass ich in einen Stehschreibtisch investiert habe und freue mich jeden Tag aufs Neue, an diesem arbeiten zu dürfen.

Hat dir dieser Artikel gefallen? Dann teile ihn mit deinen Freunden, hinterlasse einen Kommentar, abonniere den Newsletter/Blog und/oder schreibe mir eine E-Mail, an:

info@bernd-stoesslein.de

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

In diesem Artikel findest du den ein oder anderen „Affiliate Link“, zu amazon. Wenn du über diesen Link etwas erwirbst, dann unterstützt du damit meine Blogartikel und schaffst Ressourcen für weitere qualitativ hochwertige Recherchen und Artikel wie diesen. Es entstehen für dich dadurch keine Mehrkosten! Alle meine grundsätzlichen Empfehlungen findest du unter: https://www.amazon.de/shop/bernd_stoesslein

YBELL is a 4-in 1 piece of fitness equipment with endless workout possibilities, especially when it comes to functional training/movements. The special design/shape of these dumbbells allows you to perform kettlebell-training, regular dumbbell-work, double grip “med ball”-bouts, push-up stands and much more. The YBell was carefully designed by experts in fitness and industrial design to make it easy and accessible for every Body 😉 No matter if you’re “just” a “weekend-warrior” or a professional athlete, integrating these “cool tools” will add variation to your workouts, which inevitably will lead to more progression!
Learn more about these helpful “tools” for you “training-toolbox”…

This article will also be available in German, soon!

YBELL – Why would you choose’em?

YBEll, why would/should you choose them? (what a pun 😉 ) Well, as always, this question has to be answered with: “it depends”! It depends on what’s your goal right now.

For example: It depends whether you’re new to the world of fitness, respectively a novice lifter or, i.e. if you’re a world class elite athlete.

In both cases you might take benefit out of integrating YBELLs into your workout, but in different ways!

This results to the weights of the YBELLs which, in comparison to ordinary dumbbells, are rather light in weight (up to about 15kg).

So if you are e.g. looking for a “most bang for your buck” approach to equip you own house with a little “home gym”, but lack the space to stuff it with space consuming racks and/or machines, you should definitely consider investing in a set of YBELLs!

Especially in times like we experienced in 2020 where lots of people, due to special circumstances, did not have the chance to visit their regular gym! With a full set of YBELLs at home there is no time for excuses but a lot of access for results!

Having a set of these will give you literally a myriad of training possibilities, especially for metabolic-, respectively anaerobic conditioning work, plus functional movements.

Due to the shape of the YBELLs you can use them as regular dumbbells, as kettlebells and (with some restrictions) as “medicine balls”. The restriction results in the fact that, obviously, you should by all means  not throw them around like a true medicine ball.

Keeping that in mind you can still use them for functional medicine ball-movements, as they can be gripped two-handed and that in a much more convenient way than regular dumbbells!

From my professional perspective/expertise I’d say the YBELL plays its true strength in its versatility for functional movements.

Let me explain…

YBELL and the sagittal plane

Most of power, strength, speed and other weight-training is more or less performed in the sagittal plane. That means, you either move a weight up or lower it down. Rotational exercises are found surprisingly rare, even in top athletes’ training protocols.

Of course you should keep in mind that even if someone is considered to be a world class athlete this doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is also always performing a structured and sport specific training!

So, the big benefit of YBELLs is for sure the functional training aspect. Movements in which you rather train movement than (isolated) muscles.

If you’re not yet familiar with this training-nomenclature here’s a brief example:

Example 1:

An isolated exercise would be a seated dumbbell biceps curl. An exercise where you are sitting on a bench (with a dumbbell in each hand) and then curling the weight up (concentric phase) and afterwards lowering the weight (eccentric phase).

This would be considered to be an “open kinetic chain” and “open circuit” exercise, but we will leave this apart not to make things too complicated. As you can see, this exercise is intended to (depending on the way of gripping and rotating your wrist)  work different parts of your biceps muscles.

According to that it is, more or less, not training something else.

Seating YBELL-curls as example for an open kinetic chain excercise with open circuit, source: own picture.

Example 2:

In this example we think of an exercise named: “Medicine Ball (MB) Pull-over to stand”. A rather complex exercise, that focuses on movement, rather than isolated muscle work!

Performing this exercise requires you to stand upright (with a YBELL) in front of your belly (arms bent approximately 90° in the elbows), after that you squat down to a full squat (“ass to grass” or deep enough to leave a stain on the floor 😉 ).

Having reached this position you will move your upper body backwards until it is lying on the floor, while simultaneously extending your arms over your head (keep arms straight).

Then you’re going to do the same movement as described above but just in reverse, performed in an explosive manner.

This is an exercise in which you train a complete movement, with extensions and flexions of almost all joints and by activating all primary movers in your body.

Too see the described excercise, “Medicine Ball (MB) Pull-over to stand”, please watch the video below.

As you can see, the YBELLs are designed not to be used for super heavy hypertrophy work, like traditional bodybuilding work as they eventually will become too light, nor for something like powerlifting.

YBELL – Form follows function

So, what’s so special about the YBELL? Of course, it’s the design, but it also resembles a function. When it comes to designing products there is a rule: “form follows function”.

That means that, first of all, the product must be usable to solve a certain “problem”. Afterwards you can give it a nice appearance (design).

The YBELL does both. It looks really nice and has a very good workmanship + offers a vast versatility for exercises (as you can use it as dumbbell, kettlebell and “medicine ball”) while simultaneously saving a lot of space.

YBELL describes the evolution of the YBELL’s product development as followes:

The development of the YBell has been a labor of love for inventor and personal trainer Aaron Laurence. Over the last 15 years Aaron has trained thousands of people on Australia’s famous Bondi Beach.He was using traditional training tools, dumbbells, kettlebells and medicine balls, to create his own brand of High Intensity Resistance training. With his member numbers growing it became impossible to keep incorporating multiple pieces of equipment into his sessions. The solution to the problem was the YBell. One piece of equipment that did everything he was already doing and more!” (YBELL, 2020).

The YBELL’s name perfectly describes its appearance. It looks roughly like the letter Y with a triangle “around” it.

The YBELL-Family is available from XS up to XL and are sold individually.

YBELLs, from XS to XL, source: YBELL.

They star with 9,5 lb which is approximately 4,3 kg and move up to 26,4 lb, which is about 12kg.

Of course the YBELLs increase in size and weight from extra small to extra large.

YBELL – Get a Grip

The cool thing about the YBELLs are the grips. You have four on each YBELL and it gives you quite a lot of grip options. Either for a double handed grip or a single handed one.

Moreover, you can grip “inside” the bar. That differs the YBELLs from traditional dumbbells where the weight equals the center of mass. Meaning, that while gripping an ordinary dumbbell you find the weights aligned with the grip.

When you use the inner grip of the YBELL, the weight distribution differs from those of normal dumbbells. Using a YBELL the weight is not aligned with the grip but “molded” around your hand!

This will result in a different weight distribution and a total different feeling while moving the weights around.

Is this “better”? This would consider a definition of the term “better” in our case here but I would say: Not better, but different!

Keep in mind that constant training variation is one of the keys to continuing progression. Therefore it’s not as important of HOW much progression you do but to ensure ongoing progression.

You should also keep in mind that it’s about proficiency and not perfection. If you try to do something perfect it will never be done.

To give you a better understanding of how you can use the grips of the YBELL please take a look at the images below:

YBELL Inner Grip:

Choosing where to grip is essential! By changing the grip positions you can change the center of mass. Meaning, it’s a difference for your joints/muscles e.g. if you perform a YBELL bench press movement with your hand IN the YBELL or ON the YBELL!

YBELL inner grip, source: own picture.

Having your hand ON the YBELL, the weight will drag your hand more to the outside, whereas keeping your grip IN the YBELL will keep the weight in a line with your arms, respectively your elbow and shoulder-line (depending on which part of the movement you’re looking at).

Inner vs outer grip position, source: own picture.

YBELLS outer grips (“medicine ball”)

When gripping two-handed you can use the YBELLs to simulate a kind of “medicine ball-training”, at least to point where you don’t have to throw the ball. Therefore it’s not a true ballistic movement, e.g. like pushing a MB away from you with maximal force output!

But, as I mentioned earlier in the text, you can use any other exercises that you could perform with a regular MB! This will give you a vast possibility of exercise performances in all three planes (sagittal, frontal, transversal).

Especially useful for metabolic conditioning (where you don’t need super heavy weights) and other functional oriented movements.

YBELL “medicine ball” grip, source: own picture

YBELL Kettlebell-stile grip

The triumvirate of usage will also give you the opportunity to use the YBELLs like a conventional kettlebell.

YBELL kettlebell-stile grip, source: own picture.

This will expand your exercise repertoire to exercises like kettlebell swings or even Olympic Weightlifting inspired ones, like i.e. single-arm YBELL snatches, from different positions (hang/from the ground).  

Again the outcome of the exercise will differ from your grip position (e.g. kettlebell style = on the top grip of the YBELL)!

In this video I give you a brief example of exercises that can be performed using different grip variation on the YBELLs. Some exercises are performed with a closed kinetic chain and closed circuit, or an open kinetic chain with open circuit.

YBELL – price vs. investment

Well, when it comes to fitness equipment it’s inevitable to talk about the costs, the price and if something is considered to be a true investment.

So, what does a full set (10 YBELLS) cost? A 10-piece kit will cost you 599,90$ exclusively packing & shipping. This is an approximate price of 60$ per YBELL.

If you’d like to have them stored in a SUPER COOL vertical rack (see photo)  for an extra of 315,99$.

YBELL Combo 10-Piece Kit + Rack, source: YBELL.

You can either pick a YBELL Combo 10 Piece Kit + Rack or the Vertical Rack alone or each YBELL solely (not sold as pair).

Therefore you have plenty of options available suiting your demands, space and budget. I’ve being using the YBELLs quite some time now, very extensively with my own training and with clients and patients.

I consider the YBELLs as a very useful equipment. No matter if you have a professional facility in which you work with clients or if you want to equip your own home-gym.

Whether you’re working 1:1, alone or in groups, the YBELLs will give you a time and equipment-saving solution, the famous “most bang for your buck”!

I’m happy to have them in my gym!

YBELL Review Conclusion

So, what else can I say about the YBELLS that I haven’t said before? To be honest, quite a lot and one single article is surely not enough to show every possible usage, any kind of exercise or movement that can be applied with a set of YBELLs.

That’s not at all my intension nor my desire. This article is written to introduce you to this “cool tool”. To address you that there is more out there than the regular stuff.

Of course the fitness industry has the burden that almost every day something new “pops up”, but it is not necessarily useful! As my mentor Charles R. Poliquin, aka “Strength Sensei” (R.I.P.) once used to say:

I could wear my underpants above my jeans, that would be new. But it would be useless” (Poliquin 2018).

You get the point. Just because it’s new does not mean it’ll apply any real benefit. In the case of the YBELLs that’s the opposite. They are new AND useful!

I like the approach YBELL uses, it’s according to the “pareto principle” or 80:20 rule. You search for the minimum effective dosage to achieve maximum output. In the case of the YBELLS that’s the same.

They offer you the possibility to have different equipment all “molded” together in one piece. According to that it’s economic in terms of budget and equipment!

YBELLs have a non-slippery surface, a non-rust neoprene coating, are ideal for training almost everywhere and will expand your “training tool-box”. As you know: if you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail!

Bonus Option:

YBELL offers quite extensive options of workout and education! You can, e.g. book an online introduction workshop, use the YBELL Workout-APP and/or apply either to their Coaching- and Master Trainer Courses.

Additionally there are lots of YBELL-Events available, to be found all here: https://ybellfitness.com/workouts-education/training-calendar-events/

My Final Conclusion:

I strongly recommend you to invest in these special barbells!

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

YBELL about us, source: https://ybellfitness.com/about-us/, access: 5.8.20.

Wrist Max Finger and Wrist Trainer is a specially designed grip strength handle, made by a company called “Arm Sport”. Its origin comes from the world of professional arm wrestling. If you’re old enough, you will remember Sylvester Stallone’s 1987 highly underrated movie “Over the Top”, in which he played a character named Lincoln Hawk and the fabulous Movie’s music by Sammy Hagar, “Winner Takes it All”. But even if you’re not into the world of arm wrestling but e.g. into tennis, having a Wrist Max in you gym-bag/arsenal might be a beneficial thing! In this article you will learn about the specialties of this grip-tool and how you might use it to treat  a “Tennis Elbow”.

If you want to read more about Arm Sport’s special grip tools you can do so in my review about their “Cone Grips”.

Wrist Max  – Finger and Wrist Trainer

ARMSPORT does it again, with the Wrist Max handle. This “cool tool” is one of the most effective handles for wrist & finger training. It’s perfectly designed to fit an athlete’s grip and stays comfortable during the training.

You have two size-options between you can choose, (L & XL), according to the size of your hand (see picture). So, if you have HULK-size like hand, you’re good to go, too.

Wrist Max Size Chart, source:
© Wrist Max.

The grip itself is made from super durable plastic with adjustable straps which prevent your hand from slipping off the device.

The form of the Wrist Max is C-shaped, to resemble an arm wrestling opponent’s back of the hand. It really fits within your own hand and is never uncomfortable!

Depending on how you grab it (see pictures) you can either place your whole palm on the grip tool or you emphasize the pressure by sparing the mid-part of the fingers and using the tips of the fingers instead.

Insert pictures of different grip positions

You can find a short but really good review by arm wrestling champion Davon Larrat from Canada.

If you want to get more in depth knowledge what the Wrist Max actually was designed for (to become a stronger arm wrestler) I highly recommend following Davon Larrat!

I’m not an arm wrestler but a Strength and Conditioning Coach! Therefore I’ll give you my point of view how anybody could structurally integrate this “cool tool” and use it, e.g. in a rehabilitation phase aside from pure sport specific training.

Wrist Max for Lateral Epicondylitis?

Wrist Max: I like to think outside the box. In addition, I’m a “Heilpraktiker” (Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner). Therefore I also want to illuminate the Wrist Max from a therapeutic and possible rehabilitate view.

But before I tell how I use the Wrist Max to treat something that’s called “Medial Epicondylitis”, I will explain you what it is.

The term “Lateral Epicondylitis” derives from Latin latus = side, rim (Becher et al., 1995) and the constructed word Epi/condyl/itis, which is a composite of:

  • Greek prefix epi = above (Becher et al., 1995)
  • Greek condyl, respectively kondylos = bone joint, ankle (Becher et al, 1995)
  • Suffix -itis = acute inflammation

Combining those three you get Epi/condyl/itis which is an “acute inflammation of the outmost part of a joint”. Add the word “lateral” and you get an “acute inflammation of the outmost part of a lateral joint”.

Another, colloquial, expression for this issue is “Tennis Arm”. To be more accurate a tennis arm is actually not an acute inflammation but rather a chronic ongoing (potentially) degenerative issue.

According to that, a more appropriate term would rather be “Lateral Epi/condyl/OSIS”.

With the suffix -osis describing a “chronic (degenerative) issue (in the tissue)”.

But how do you get a lateral epicondylosis? Well, due to my observation (also being a Strength and Conditioning Coach) I would say due to repetitive and forceful wrist extension and/or excessive supination, like e.g. playing a “back hand” in tennis.

What else might cause a Lateral Epicondylosis (“Tennis Arm”) in Tennis?

  • An improper and/or new racquet (size)
  • A new /faulty grip position
  • Repetitive hitting into the wind

Wrist Max Rehab for Tennis Arm – An approach

So, how do I structurally integrate the Wrist Max in a rehab program for tennis arm?

First it is important to take care of your overused elbow joint. If it is acute, ice might help to reduce an inflammation but in the long run heat will do a better job (if it is a degenerative issue and not a “silent inflammation”!).

If a patient suffers from a restriction of range of motion (ROM) I’d recommend to get rid of possible adhesions and after that I’d (re)build up strength and coordination.

The Wrist Max can be used to strengthen the agonist muscles in the elbow and ensure, what my Mentor Charles R. Poliquin aka “Strength Sensei” (R.I.P.) would have described, a proper structural balance.

As the Wrist Max is designed for wrist flexion, this will be the choice first, to prevent the extensor muscles of the forearm from further stress. Later, the extensors will be integrated in a structural-balanced rehab program.

I would also highly recommend to strengthen the scapula stabilizers as they are often underdeveloped and play an important role for proper elbow, respectively wrist kinetics.

An acute rehab phase may last around 8 weeks, but you might speed up recovery by integrating useful tools and techniques like i.e. Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), platelet-rich plasma, dry needling and/or soft tissue tools (like the Heskiers-Tool).

When a tennis player is ready to hit the court again I’d recommend making further adjustments, like thinking about an appropriate racquet (consider size and string tension), footwear for proper alignment etc.

You can find more about the importance of proper alignment in my articles:

Wrist Max  – More Grip strength for a prolonged life?

Ok, but wait a second…a prolonged life due to a stronger grip?!

Yes, this seems to be true!

Wrist Max Finger & Wrist-Trainer, source: © Wrist Max

Besides the fact, that even in professional sport, training grip and neck training are probably the two most neglected pillars of strength training, studies found out, that a stronger grip is actually a better vital parameter for overall health than the blood pressure (at least in middle aged and older people)!

According to a nationwide population-based Taiwanese study the relative hand grip strength seems to be a simple indicator of cardiometabolic risk among the aforementioned middle-aged and older people.

Another study form 2016 states, that:

„(…) handgrip strength, may be a better tool to capture conceptual concomitant health, which may be a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-use tool when targeting cardiovascular health in public health level” (Lee et al., 2016).

Furthermore, a study with the title: “Grip Strength is Associated with Longitudinal Health Maintenance and Improvement in Adolescents” came to the conclusion that:

Greater NGS is associated with longitudinal health maintenance and health improvements in adolescents. Low NGS could be used as a prognostic indicator of cardiometabolic risk and to identify adolescents who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions to improve muscular fitness.“ (Peterson et al., 2018).

The abbreviation NGS is used in this study for “Normal Grip Strength”. In addition, a 2017 study claims that:

„(…) higher baseline GS and 5-year increase in GS were protective of mortality, whilst GS decline was associated with an increased risk of mortality in the very old over 9.6 years, especially in women. These results add to the biological and clinical importance of GS as a powerful predictor of long-term survival in late life.“ (Granic et al., 2017).

In this study they used “GS” for abbreviating the term “Grip Strength”.

Another study from 2018 investigated the relation of grip strength (GS), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and overall mortality risk found out that:

“CRF and GS are both independent predictors of mortality. Improving CRF and muscle strength together, as opposed to single optimization alone, can be the most effective behavioral strategy to reduce overall mortality and cardiovascular risk.” (Youngwon, 2018).

It can be seen that there are numerous studies on the meaningfulness of grip force measurement, respectively grip strength training.

Of course, this article does not claim to have listed every study on the benefits of grip strength! If you want to read more studies, you should simply go online and search for example for the key words: grip force measurement, hand force measurement, grip strength measurement etc.

Wrist Max – Review Conclusion

Wrist Max – So, what’s the deal of the big deal? First of all, it is very pricy! Depending on the size (L, XL) the models range between 39,90$ to 44,90$, which is – to be honest – more than fair!

Wrist Max in action, in my Gym, source: own picture.

Furthermore, it is a very versatile tool that can also be used for strength/hypertrophy phases and/or rehabilitation in strength and conditioning, not only in arm wrestling!

Considering that and it’s great portability makes the Wrist Max a real “cool tool” for every “gym rat”, professional athlete, “weekend warrior” or strength facility.

I would highly recommend you to also invest in the Arm Sports’ “ConeGrips” to further stack your “arm-arsenal”.

Having a strong grip clearly shows benefits of a prolonged life. According to that, investing in a useful tool like the Wrist Max makes total sense for me.

It seems to be a pretty useful tool while being in a reha phase and dealing with lateral epicondylitis/-osis (“Tennis Elbow”).

Conclusion: go and get one !

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

If you liked this article please share it with your friends, subscribe to the newsletter and the blog.

If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me: info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 75. 

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 114. 

Lateinisch-griechischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 121.

Lee WJ; Peng LN; Chiou ST; Chen LK. Relative Handgrip Strength Is a Simple Indicator of Cardiometabolic Risk among Middle-Aged and Older People: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan. Plos One 201611 (8), 0160876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160876.

Peterson MD; Gordon PM; Smeding S; Visich P. Grip Strength Is Associated with Longitudinal Health Maintenance and Improvement in Adolescents. The Journal of Pediatrics 2018202, 226–230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.07.020.

Granic A; Davies K; Jagger C; M Dodds R; Kirkwood TBL; Sayer AA. Initial Level and Rate of Change in Grip Strength Predict All-Cause Mortality in Very Old Adults. Age and Ageing 201746 (6), 970–976 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afx087.

National Councilof Strengthand Fitness (NCSF) is a USA based institution that offers different certification, i.e. “Personal-Trainer”, in “Sport Nutrition” and in “Strength Training”. NCSF Certified Strength Coach: I took the last mentioned course (Certified Strength Coach), which is approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

NCSF Certified Strength CoachThis course is packed with the highest standards in the industry. It will boost your knowledge not only in strength training but also in performance assessment and evaluation, biomechanics, sport metabolism, nutrition and ergogenic aids, training techniques for athletic performance, advanced programming for sport, injury prevention and return to competition, an exercise (online) library and much more.

Stay tuned and read my review about this investment!

NCSF Certified Strength Coach – What’s on the schedule?

So, you’re planning to become a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach? Great! Congratulations to your decision as this is a very interesting, varied and exciting profession.

If you want to know where to start your journey search no more. You have found your tribe!

I’ve been doing the Certified Strength Coach by NCSF and I will tell you exactly what you can expect and give you my honest feedback.

To make a long story short I’ll start right away and will answer your most desirable question:

“Is this course worth the investment?”

To be honest: YES, IT IS! You will get the “most bang for your buck”. But hold on, I’ll tell you more about that in a minute. First, let’s try with what this elaborate course is made of.

At first you can choose your options. There are numerous “package prices” available. Ranging from as low as 299$ up to fair 599$ for the “Workshop Plus Package”. 

The 299$ is for the “Exam Only” (499$). Besides that, you’re given the option to choose between the  “Home Study Course & Exam” (549$), the “Home Study Plus Package”(549$), The “Workshop Course & Exam”(599$) and the “Workshop Plus Package”.

Where’s the difference? Good question. It mostly differs if you wish to receive a hard copy of the “Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning Textbook” and whether you’d like to take the physical 2-day workshop instruction (16 hours) or prefer studying (online) at home.

Due to the fact that I’m from Germany, the most convenient thing for me was to take the “Home Study Course & Exam” and enjoy the digital edition of the “Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning Textbook”.

NCSF Certified Strength Coach – Course Breakdown

In this part of the article I’ll give you a sneak peek of the separate units of the Certified Strength Coach (CSC) Program. Of course, due to the sheer amount of material and Copyright, I cannot provide you with every little detail of this marvelous course!

But, I’ll try to give you a delightful input as possible to wipe out all your doubts whether to take/invest in this course or not.

Unit 1 Performance Assessment and Evaluation

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: All the Units are structured the same. They are divided in sub-categories and  always start with an overview of the Unit’s learning goals.

These are followed by lesson notes, a “Questions & Answers” section, a Quiz, the recommended textbook review and  the Unit’s little Practice Exam.

Unit 1 logically commences with an introduction to strength and conditioning. In addition, you will make your first steps in sports analysis for program development as well as in performance assessment for elite athletes.

Unit 2 Biomechanics

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: Trying to be a good strength and conditioning coach you will also have the need of fundamental understanding of which muscle does what…and, if that might be the case, why it does not what it is  supposed to do.

According to that, you will learn about the body’s biomechanics, respectively sport biomechanics in Unit 2 as well as how to integrate corrective exercises.

You will learn for example about concepts related to a functional skeletal system, principles of stability and balance, anatomy and function of the sling systems, concepts related to common upper and lower body postural distortions, postural assessments and much more.

Unit 3 Sport Metabolism

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: This unit will turn your view to the inside. Your inner world creates your outer! Not only in a spiritual sense but also in a biological.

Unit 3 acknowledges you in bioenergetics (the role of free energy in the body), energy sources used to meet immediate, intermediate and prolonged metabolic needs, how the metabolic systems complement each other during sport performance and training etc.

Furthermore will gain knowledge on how to “tailor” programs for specific motor unit adaptations including improved firing rates, increased recruitment and enhanced firing synchronicity.

Other examples are the primary physical/metabolic factors that result in muscle strain or damage as well as rhabdomyolysis, the ventilatory and lactate thresholds and applications for metabolic conditioning or the concepts of central and peripheral fatigue as well as factors related to fatigue prevention.

Unit 4 Nutrition and Ergogenic Aids

NCSF Certified Strength Coach:The term ergo/genic derives from Greek ergon = work, act, action, occupation; and Latin genus, respectively old Greek genos = root, gender, species (Becher et al., 1995). Therefore ergo/genic or “ergogenic aids” describes: “that what supports the action of human action”, respectively supplements.

You will learn how to maintain energy balance while competing as an elite athlete, about the various functions and types of dietary macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as guidelines for carbohydrate, protein, lipid, water, and micronutrient intake among elite athletes.

Other examples of this courses content are e.g.: nutrient timing for maximizing performance, protein synthesis, weight loss and/or recovery, effects of carbohydrate intake on sport performance or how to identify heat-related illnesses, body composition assessment and weight management among athletes.

Besides sport nutrition unit 4 will “nurture” (great pun, isn’t it? J ) you with ergogenic aids for sport performance.

You’ll be able to feed your brain for example with the potential risks associated with taking dietary supplements, the potential usefulness and dangers associated with the various ergogenic aids purported to be effective for improving performance and supplementation options for athletes with special needs (e.g., vegetarians).

Unit 5 Training Techniques for Athletic Performance

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: In Unit 5 you will really learn a lot about a solid foundation in:

  • Performance Preparation
  • Foundations and Technique for Olympic Weightlifting
  • Theories and Concepts for Speed, Agility and Quickness Training
  • Technique and Instruction for Speed, Agility and Quickness Training

Sounds a lot? Well, it is. But the cool thing is you don’t have to rely on pictures alone, when it comes to exercise explanations.

The old saying goes: “A picture is more worth than thousand words”. But I tell you what, a video might be worth a billion words! With pictures you can see a starting and a finishing point but you do not see what happens in between!

The Certified Strength Coach Course will provide you with an extensive and surplus excursive library with lots of explanatory videos, filmed from different angles.

But we’ll save that one for later (Unit 8). 

In the first chapter of unit 5 you will learn e.g. the performance-related benefits of a warm-up, how to select warm-up activities that match the specific goals of participating athletes or  how to properly apply self-myofascial release techniques to reduce movement restriction.

The learning goals of chapter 2 ( Foundation of Techniques for Olympic Weightlifting) of unit 5 will enhance your knowledge about proper form technique, spotting, teaching cues and common errors for the back squat, front squat, split squat and overhead squat.

Furthermore, you will learn about other proper techniques including exercises like the power snatch, and other Olympic lifts.

Theories and concepts  for Speed, Agility and Quickness Training (Chapter 3) of Unit 5 deals for example with the biomechanical, neuromuscular and metabolic factors associated with speed and agility performance or concepts related to proper sprinting mechanics/form and common sprinting technique errors etc.

In “Technique and Instruction for Speed, Agility and Quickness Training” (chapter 4) of Unit 5 you will further learn i.e.:

  • The primary categorical drills that can be used for speed, agility and quickness training
  • How to differentiate between ballistic and plyometric drills for SAQ improvements
  • How to differentiate between change of direction (COD) and agility drills

Unit 6 Advanced Programming for Sport

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: Like the chapter before, Unit 6 is “armed” with a myriad of “knowledge bombs”, ready to “blockbuster-bomb your brain”…with strength and conditioning knowledge.

Your gun cabinet is loaded with the following:

  • Considerations for Programming
  • Programming for Sport Performance
  • Periodization Methods for Sport
  • Conditioning for Intermittent Sports
  • Training Methods for endurance Sports

Remember: “power is nothing without control”, that’s why you need to learn the basics first. And nothing ever beats the basics!

Unit 7 Injury prevention and Return to Competition

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: The most important task of a Strength and Conditioning Coach is to guarantee that an athlete stays injury free!

Therefore, Unit 7 deals with the primary focus during each phase of rehab (acute, intermediate, transition back to sport).

In addition, you will learn different types of exercises employed during physical therapy and sport rehab programs.

For each common sport injury you will be given examples of treatment options, sports associated with the highest prevalence, the mechanism of injury, risk factors and necessary training modifications and much more.

There will be suggestions of how to return-to-sport parameters (positive prognostic indicators) following rehab for each injury, which symptoms indicate a need for surgery or withdrawal from sport participation and a bunch of other useful stuff “out of the trenches”.

Unit 8 the Exercise Library

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: As already mentioned, Unit 8 is, as we say in German,: “das Herzstück” which means “the heart-piece” of the NCSF’s Strength and Conditioning Certification. At least from my point of view.

In this Unit you will be granted access to all the exercises that are mentioned throughout the course. These are well structured and really well shot.

You can see every exercise from different angles and Olympic weightlifting exercises are filled with “see through plates”, to give you the most information of proper execution as possible.

All these exercises say the most, by using the least amount of time. They are simply efficient!

The exercise library is listed in alphabetical order, starting with numbers. Here you will learn about drills, like:

  • 30 Yard T-Drill
  • 40 Yard Square Drill
  • 5-Cone Star Drill
  • 6-Cone Z-Drill
  • others

If you’re from a country (like me) that uses the metric system you can easily convert the US system into meters instead of yards, so don’t worry J

In sum you will be able to watch over 300 videos!

Unit 9 Final Practice Exam

NCSF Certified Strength Coach: Unit 9 will give you the option to practice for your final exam. In this unit you can answer 100 multiple choice questions, all mixed together from all the other units.

In the real exam, though, you will have to answer 150 randomly selected multiple choice questions and your time limit is 3 hours.

How to study for Strength and Conditioning Certification

After having received my review about NCSF’s course material I’d like to give you my best technique of how to study for this certification.

There might be an uncountable number of learning techniques but here is the one I’ve been using over the years now, for all sorts of certifications.

It’s called “The Pomodoro- Technique” and I got to know it from my mentor, the most successful Strength Coach in history, Charles R. Poliquin (R.I.P.), also known as “Strength Sensei”.

What is this technique about? Let’s have a look at Wikipedia, aka “Mr. Know it all”.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for ‘tomato’, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student.”

Between each blocks, respectively “pomodoro” I’ll stand up and do some mobility exercises, like deep squatting etc. for a break of 5 minutes before returning to concentration.

Recently I merged to incorporate a standing desk while working in my office and while learning. This is a very cool tool to prevent e.g. upper- and lower crossed syndrome!

How to master learning for Strength and Conditioning Certification?

If you have to learn lots of stuff in a relatively short amount of time you can’t simply learn everything by heart. Due to the overwhelming amount of information it is simply impossible to recall everything and anytime.

Anyway, I’d never recommend only learning things by heart! I propose you to start thinking in principles! Try to understand HOW things work instead of simply trying to memorize them!

Another great tip is learning how to decrypt Latin and (old) Greek vocabulary. No, of course you do not have to learn both of these languages to take a Strength and Conditioning Certificate.

However, once you have gained proper knowledge in related nomenclature you will find everything more easy to learn and understand. Plus you will strongly benefit from it while working in the field of medical professionals!

I speak out of experience as I’m also a “Heilpraktiker” (“heal practitioner”). A profession that is – in this form – only available in Germany and (with restrictions) in Switzerland. A proper translation would be something like “Complementary and alternative medicine practitioner”.

We are allowed to diagnose and treat diseases (with restrictions) and do invasive treatments, e.g. infusions or injections, without being a medical doctor. For this profession I studied for years and I found it extremely beneficial to learn Latin and Greek terms!

NCSF Certified Strength Coach – Conclusion

I don’t want to sound like a broken record but I’ll say it again: The NCSF Certified Strength Coach is a total investment!

You’ll probably have noticed that I wrote “investment” instead of “cost”. That’s not just to sound fancy but to tell you the difference between investment and expenses.

Sure, at first you will have to spend money but in the long run you will learn more, to earn more! Therefore the NCSF Certified Strength Coach is something that will be a return on investment for you.

So, to sum it all up, if you’re looking for a profound start to your career in the field of Strength and Conditioning you definitely should take this course.

On top of the online learning material you’ll either receive the digital version of the “Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning Textbook “ and/or the print version. Keep in mind that that’s an additional 650+ page “knowledge bomb”!

Take a look for yourself, under: http://www.ncsf.org/

© HP Bernd Stößlein, Master of Business Administration in Sportmanagement.

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If you like to book a professional online/offline consultation please feel free to contact me:

 info@bernd-stoesslein.de


Literature

Griechisch-lateinischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 76.

Griechisch-lateinischer Wortschatz in der Medizin, S. 88.

Pomodoro Technique, source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique, acces from 24.7.2020.