Flexors vs Extensors

   A common question I get when a patient begins care at our practice Adjust Dallas is "So what can I not do at the gym?" I secretly think they are just wanting an excuse not to workout. :) Well if they are, than they are disappointed in my answers... I tell patients to basically just listen to their body, if something feels too strenuous on your neck or back than back off or change it up. Just be cautious, and never lose form. Form should NEVER be compromised for higher weight or more reps. ( This happens a lot when there is competition involved, cough, under my breath, CROSSFIT) Did  I say that out loud?
   But one thing I do tell patients is to think about their daily routine. 90 percent of us are behind a desk and in a chair for 8 hours or more a day, and in a forward flexed posture. So would it make sense for us to go to the gym (if you are to begin with) and do exercises that promote a flexion dominate posture? IE bicep curls, hamstring curls, bench press, sit ups, etc... We should be trying to counteract what we are doing to our body through out the day. Exercises that promote extension. So if flexion muscles are on the front of our upper body, guess where the extensors are? Ding Ding the back. If the flexors are on the back of our lower body, guess where the extensors are? You are good at this game, the front! Incorporate more exercises that promote extension, and fewer that promote flexion. 

---