Spinal Flexion Gains - Low Back Focus

Equipment Needed: A chair or bench to sit on. Slant board and resistance band are optional.

Time Markers:
0:20 CARs (warm up)
7:00 Roll Ups (Supine Base)
9:00 Anterior/Posterior Pelvic Tilts (Quadruped Base)
10:40 Spinal Flexion PAILs/RAILs (Seated Base)
18:50 Spinal Flexion PAILs/RAILs (Quadruped Base)
23:30 Jefferson Curls (Standing Base)
28:15 Spinal Flexion Drill (Standing At Wall)
31:50 Finishing CARs

We’ll be working two PAILs/RAILs bases. One seated and one in quadruped. In these bases you’re going to maintain as much flexion in your spine while holding posterior pelvic tilt. When you initiate your PAILs contraction you’re going to try to only initiate from the lower back (lumbar spine) into extension - though you will be holding flexion everywhere else and posterior pelvic tilt, so when you initiate low back extension your body shouldn’t move. On your RAILs contraction you’re going to initiate low back flexion, like you’re crunching your abs and pulling your belly button in, and fighting for maximal flexion.

If you’re new to loading your spine in flexion, or have past problems in this area, it’s always recommended to go at your own pace and only give as much effort/intensity as you feel comfortable. It’s best to start off light and slowly build up over time. So you can keep your irradiation and intensity in check, and then after weeks of consistent training you can gradually increase the intensity to build up the strength in this range gradually. Progressive overload is always key.

For a lot of people they will lack neurological control here, so it might be hard to initiate the movement at a high level in the beginning. You may have to lower the intensity and really work on trying to feel the movement specific to the low back, and as you practice these movements more you will develop greater control and learn to initiate the movement with more specificity. It will develop with time.

I hope you enjoy this class!