Stuff You Should Read: 6/15/09

Written on June 15, 2009 at 6:53 am, by Eric Cressey

This week’s collector of stuff you should read:

Front vs. Back Squats (Newsletter 154) – this recent newsletter from me takes a different perspective on a common debate in the world of strength and conditioning.

Stronger Abs, Bigger Lifts – this article from Matthieu Hertilus was really good – and that’s a big compliment coming from a guy who needs to read another “core training” article like he needs a hole in the head.

Comparison of different rowing exercises: trunk muscle activation and lumbar spine motion, load, and stiffness – this presents some recent research on how various horizontal pulling exercises affect EMG of several trunk and hip muscles.

2 Responses to “Stuff You Should Read: 6/15/09”

1. Matt S Says:
   June 16th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

   Eric,

   I really like the Front Squat newsletter article. Cool video content!!

   I like how you outline the risk vs reward aspect of the exercise for your athletes — people should really evaluate this more closely.

   Interestingly, the back squat does not seem to irritate my shoulder as much as flat bench *used to*. Currently, DB push press hurts my shoulders worse than either — strange eh? Even barbell pushpress hurts less.

   Oh well. I’ll just keep doing my mobility/stability/flexibility/activation work and hope for the best!

2. John Thompson Says:
   June 25th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

   I tried front squating and really want to do but even with the manta ray I can’t get my boned spurred elbows bent enough to hold the bar where it should be so back squat it is. A carefull not maximum effort one at that. However my wife, who couldn’t squat for years due to shoulder and scoliosis issues, has found the manta ray a new chance to do legs and she’s up to 60′bs for 10 reps which is a major improvement from before

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