The Hinge - Move of the Week 5/2

This week we are going to simplify the Move of the Week and work the hinge.  Hinging is part of nearly every lower body exercise, including deadlifts, squats, and lunges, particularly the lateral lunge.  We even hinge slightly in stable split stance movements in order to create additional stability and maintaining a strong center of balance.  

In this video you can see Bree doing a deadlift hinge.  Her feet are connected to the floor, her posture is tall, and she is leading with the hips keeping her back flat throughout the movement.  These fundamentals of the hinge will apply to all hinging movements that you practice over the course of the coming week.

When we hinge correctly we not only protect our lower back from injury, but we also align our joints and prepare our bodies to utilize our muscles correctly and find additional strength and power in the movement.

Copy of Lateral Dumbbell Swing to Row - Movement of the Week Explainer by Allison Hopkins

Here's your checklist:

1. Keeping our feet engaged with the floor.
2. Maintain a tall posture.
3. Lead with the hips.

This focus on the hinge will allow you to dial in on every hinging movement in the gym, and as a result allow you to lift heavier with greater confidence, create greater power in more dynamic movements, and most importantly keep your back safe and protected through the movement.