The Kinetic Chain

Picture a tow truck with a massive chain, pulling a large vehicle out of deep mud. Now, replace a few links of the chain with a weak small chain. Despite the strength of the larger links or the power of the tow truck, the job is impossible. The weaker links fail.

The body in movement is very similar to the chain of the tow truck. If any required areas are weak, the body is unable to complete the desired task. If pushed beyond capacity, the weaker links will break and injury will result. Unlike the tow truck chain, in the human "chain", when weak links are protected, other areas jump in to do the job, effectually overstraining themselves. The outcome; the weak gets weaker, the strong become over worked and tight and movement is imbalanced, risking the tearing of connective tissue and the wearing out of joint padding as bones unevenly rub across joints. Eventually, we hear cracking of ligaments and crunching of bone on bone. The resulting deterioration of joints is responsible for many aches and pains.

Osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease, sciatic nerve pain, fibromyalgia, sometimes even migraine headaches find their true cause, or bare minimum an inflaming of symptoms related to muscle imbalance. Most of these issues can at least find some relief from strengthening and balancing the kinetic chain.

We hear alot about core strength, and rightly so. In an age of "sit and slump" at a desk, in a vehicle, in front of a TV, and even on exercise equipment, we are prone to neglect the core of our body. I'm thrilled that everywhere, people are getting up and moving their bodies!

Now, it's time to address HOW we move! The next step in overall body health and strength improvement is to create more balanced movement in general, and specifically to strengthen the "weaker links" in the kinetic chain. There are several areas of the body that trainers see neglected and in need of strengthening. Overall, I find the muscles that surround the shoulder blades to be the most common area of weakness in most individuals. Unfortunately, many common ailments are either caused or negatively affected by this inferior "link" in the chain of everyday movement.

Do your current physical activities strengthen or weaken the area between, below and around the shoulder blades? Does it really matter? What spinal position do you spend the majority of your workday in? Do you experience any shoulder pain (front, back or shooting down the side of arm), neck, middle or lower back pain?

The region of the upper back spanning from neck to just below the shoulder blade, and across the back, virtually from arm pit to arm pit is probably the weakest link in the kinetic chain for most people. This holds true, especially for those who spend long hours at a computer. It can also be a problem for athletes because, with very few exceptions, sports usually strengthen muscles in the front of the upper body more than the back.

Most workouts neglect the majority of the 17 muscles attached to each shoulder blade, resulting in an imbalance in upper body movement. An old trainer's adage holds true, "Most people only train what they can see in the mirror." Not only can we not see the upper middle back without strategically placing mirrors to do so, most people can't even reach it, due to opposing tightness in the front of the upper body! In my many years training athletes, competitors, kids, seniors, post rehab patients and average exercisers, I have found this to be the overall MOST neglected area on almost everyone and unfortunately the underlying cause of most shoulder and neck injuries. Weakness in this area also contributes to lower back problems.

Babies are born with a concave curve in the spine reflecting the snuggled fetal position. Almost immediately, an instinctive impulse to "see the world" kicks in and the infant struggles to lift the head (or when being held upright, to thrust backward). This lifting movement strengthens the muscles supporting the spine in preparation for bearing the weight of standing and eventually walking. As the muscles strengthen, the spine realigns out of its former curve and into the optimal position to evenly and safely distribute body weight for upright movement.

Unfortunately, as we age, life's burdens tend to lean us back forward into the prenatel position, wreaking havoc on the discs and bones of the spine, while also stretching out and weakening the upper back and rotator cuff muscles. The resulting slumping position rolls shoulders and entire upper body weight forward, putting tremendous pressure on the lower back. I don't even need to start discussing how much damage this does to the lower back. It would be a conservative estimate to say that 75% of people have some type of lower back malady by the time they reach their 30th birthday!

I'm guessing, right this moment, your straightening up out of the slumping position you assumed to read this. You may also be lifting your rib cage, stretching out the chest, considering that pain you've between concerned about or the stiffness in your lower back.

Now settle back into your comfy little forward slump and think about your belly. The abdominal muscles are totally at rest in this position, while the lower back is both stretched and strained simultaneously. Ideally, in any upright position, the entire core, both front and back muscles are recruited simultaneously. If we could trigger tiny lights in each muscle fiber as it's fired, we would see a sparkling light show of constant movement around the core of our body as it balances the mass weight of the head, shoulders, arms, back and chest. So, if the majority of your day, the light show (especially in the abdominals) turns off....well, you really can't expect it to easily jump into action at command, much less display an amazing six pack at the beach!

By now, I hope the importance of addressing weaker areas of the kinetic chain, is starting to take it's rightful place of importance in your quest for improving your health and fitness. Even adequate breathing is constrained by the slumping forward position that compresses the diaphragm, preventing full aspiration of the lungs. Like most insidious bad habits, this one sneaks into our sitting, standing and moving norms and then strengthens its own cycle unless we actively work on reversing it. Follow the example of the newborn, "training" the weak muscles to "see" what they're missing out on, and you will most likely be physically rejuvenated while diminishing aches and pains, achieving greater overall strength and presenting a more attractive, confident stance. Like mom said, "Stand up straight!"

I include a variety of exercises, addressing upper back and shoulder stability in my client's training programs, as well as in my own workouts. I'll be introducing a number of these, complete with tips and pictures to assist you in proper form. Of course, an awareness of good posture usually arises when we begin to address this problem area. Hopefully, this will spill over into your everyday activities and help you develop a lifestyle conducive to strengthening your entire upper body for greater balance and strength.

Here's a great suspension exercise that targets this area:

1. Hold arms dirctly above head to find starting position.
2. Keep feet in that position and drop into a squat.
3. Use lower body to raise yourself up while lifting arms above head. Near top, start using arms to complete lift, while squeezing shoulder blades back and down.
4. Afer reaching top (shoulder blades squeezed firmly back and down) return to squat position and repeat.

Keep arms straight throughout movement. Use as much lower body as needed, then allow arms to start working when they are able.

A Tribute to My mother - Mom always said...

My mother possessed a deep inner grace, beauty and strength. I thank God for mothers everywhere and especially for my own. I miss her dearly and pray that I might inherit her gentle spirit and pass it on to my own children.

At an early age, Mom told me, "God is love." Not only did she speak this, but she lived it daily. She also taught this to 2nd graders in her classes at the church we attended. I loved to join my mom at every church event even into my teen years. I helped her make little surprises for the students every holiday (mom's hands weren't very cooperative due to health problems, but her heart was more than willing). I gladly agreed when mom volunteered me to model in fund raiser fashion shows or attend a crafting bee for the up-coming white elephant bazaar. These are memories I'll always cherish and hold dear to my heart!

Me and Mom, Backstage Fashionshow Fundraiser
& Me with Silvana (just crowned Valentine queen) 25 years later

In the kitchen, mom patiently shared her tricks and favorite recipes. Before I knew it was supposed to be "work", She "let" me fix dinner. By my teen years, I just "wanted to". Thanks Mom, for teaching me the joy of giving! My sisters and I learned to hem garments and sew on buttons. These were difficult tasks for her because of her health issues. When we were young, she would have us thread the needles and watch and learn as she gave us hints. When we were old enough, she just handed us the job to be done!

I doubt my mother knew her words of direction and wisdom would live on long after they were spoken and I wish I could tell her today just how much I still rely on them and how much I love her and miss her.

In my life, first, as as a mother; also in my work life, as a personal trainer, PE teacher and writer my wonderful mother's influence lives on as I speak the works, "My mom always said..."

My mother was a very kind, thoughtful, caring, wise, God fearing woman. She had a massive stroke when I was only 24 years old and was bed-ridden for 16 years, unable to talk or feed herself until she passed away. Only the oldest of my 8 kids remembers Grandma before her stroke. There were many times I longed for my children to know my mother the way I had. Despite her inability to influence her grandchildren first hand, I realize now the tremendous affect she did have on their lives by all of her painstaking efforts in molding mine.

The lessons my mother taught have stayed with me and are the foundation for every success in my life. Her gentle patient leading and guiding followed by her infrequent and thus keenly felt admonitions have created in me a desire to be my best and give my utmost. My mother struggled all her life with health issues that originated at birth. Near the end of her life, my grandmother confided in me her desire for "The good Lord to take her home before her daughter."

Ellen Louise McGarvey was the only child of my grandparents that survived infancy. My grandfather, mom's father, passed away when she was only 20 so as my grandmother explained, "Your mother; she's all I've got left dear but I thank the Good Lord for every day that I have her. You see, she's been on borrowed time all her life. When she was born, they told us she wouldn't live to adulthood, but she did and raised you and your sisters and brother. I call your mother on the phone every day. She can't talk to me but I know she can hear me and that's enough."

Not long after that, My Grandmother passed away and soon after, my mom followed her to rest at last. I felt a keen loss but also a peaceful gratefulness that her many years of bravely accepting sickness and pain had ended. In my mother's and grandmother's words of wisdom and examples of courage, gratefulness and strength, I found guidance and confidence to fight the battles of life and lead my own children. Likewise in my daily walk, I feel my mother's influence directing me in my job as it passes on, influencing my clients and students. Like my mother who frequently said, "My mom always said......" I too refer back to "Mom always said...." and find the truths Mom and Grandma and most likely great grandmas, generations back pass on are ageless, timeless lanterns that lead us through the difficulties, the gray areas, the storms and the even the celebrations.

The last time I received a "Mom said..." is near and dear to my heart. It came through my sister, Lynn. I often go to my big sisters for advice, especially since mom passed away. I had confided to Lynn that I was nervous about a new Fitness Director position I had accepted. She told me that years before, upon opening her own beauty salon, Whispers On Wentworth, she had expressed her fears of this new undertaking to mom whose calm brave advice was, "It's your job, just do it!" Throughout the years, since my sister gave me this last, "Mom told me...." I have returned to that nugget of wisdom time and again during moments of apprehension, when facing new challenges.

My mother knew her job and "just did it" despite her life long health obstacles. Likewise, I aspire to take up whatever challenges life puts in my path bravely, in the confidence I've received through my mother's wisdom and encouragement. Everywhere, the words of mothers resound in hearts exerting an ongoing influence that literally shapes lives, societies and our future world. My mother's words will live on not only in my heart but will encourage, motivate and direct the lives of others as I continue doing my life's work, and referring back to "My mom always said...."

Shoulder Workout At Home

This workout is a superset routine. I wanted to get done quickly and still have maximum results. For this type of training, one area rests, while another works. Then we alternate back and forth. This tends to keep the heart rate up so it's tiring. It works best with light to medium resistance. Otherwise, you'll run out of steam.

Super setting is great for busy lifestyles. It's also frequently utilized by body builders and figure competitors during "shredding" which refers to the time preceding a show when maximum bodyfat reduction with minimal muscle loss is the goal. Competitors may experience a reduction in overall strength during shredding because they are limiting calories. Using high energy, yet lower strength emphasis workout is ideal for their needs.

With a normal healthy diet, this type workout will help you convert (lose fat, while gaining muscle tone) to reach your goals in no time!

Alternating Exercises - 3 sets each. Choose/adapt resistance to complete suggested repetitions in good form.

Dumbbell shoulder press, squat/switch 40 reps

Alternate with:
Suspension squat/straight arm overhead raise 10-15 reps with good form
Clicking on picture below will take you to Kenetic Chain Post. Directions to preform exercise correctly are at bottom of post.


Tubing front raise 20 reps
Alternating with:
Rear dumbbell fly 20 reps each side

Dumbbell shoulder presses 15 reps
Alternate with:
Cobra exercise (hands free)
Face down on mat, contract abs, raise head, arms and feet. Hold 6 seconds. Rest and repeat 3 times

Tubing Lateral Raises
Alternating with:
Ball Exercise Crunches

Vitamin D Are you Getting Enough?

Did you know almost every cell in your body requires Vitamin D to function properly?

Americans tend to fall short of their daily requirements. That's why it is added to our milk. How do you know if you are getting enough? Yes, there is a test doctors can use to check levels, however, nature provided a much better solution.

Take a walk every day!



Our best source of Vitamin D is sunshine. Sun exposure for short periods of time or in mild sun has many health benefits. Sunnier areas of the world have a lower rate of certain cancers because cancer cells have more vitamin D receptors and when the D attaches to them, it kills the cancers.

Are you still inside? Here are a few more great motivators to include a 10-30 minute outdoor stroll, gardening or ballgame in your daily routine.

Vitamin D plays a role in the production of insulin (blood sugar regulating hormone, deficient in diabetics).

Without sufficient Vitamin D, a bone disorder, rickets develops.

Vitamin D helps you maintain healthy bone density.

Sun is the only natural vegetarian source of Vitamin D.

Since the liver stores Vitamin D, summer exposure can supply us all year. Darker skin needs more exposure than lighter skin to create Vitamin D.

Read UK Research

Too much sun is dangerous so don’t “worship” the sun, just enjoy its benefits in small amounts!

So, how much is enough?

Get out of the sun before you see a visible change in your skin color. Some people notice a "hot" "tingling" feeling as a "warning" that they've had enough. To be safe. it is suggested you time your exposure. Choose early morning or late afternoon sun, but still be careful! Depending on your natural pigmentation, somewhere between 10-30 minutes, on one area (face, legs, arms or back) 3 times a week is adequate for most individuals. Since weather can be a deterrent, aim for as many days a week as possible. (Remember, Vitamin D stores in your liver for rainy days. Stash some away!)

Let me reiterate, if you are light skinned, you don't need as much sun exposure to get adequate Vitamin D stores in your body. Lighter skinned individuals should limit unprotected exposure to early morning or late afternoon and then only for 10 minutes or so, daily depending on the intensity of the sun.

Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

Upon request, I'm giving you my first recipe. My goal with this was to surprise Brian with a great meal but NOT have him guilting over the calories.

Marinade 4-5 Large Portabella Mushrooms(1 Package)in:
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup fat free Italian dressing
1/4 cup Portuguese Pepper (or add your own zesty red pepper to taste)

I marinaded mine in a locked container, in cooler, while driving to Maryland. They were probably in marinade at least 2 1/2 hours.

Pre-heat oven - 350.

Crumble and mix together:
2 medium packages of fake crab (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (plain, unseasoned)
1 tsp Cajun season
2/3 cup egg whites

Move Mushrooms from marinade to baking dish (set aside marinade)

Stuff Mushrooms with mounds of fake crab mixture

Sprinkle tops of mounds with breadcrumbs, then sprinkle each with Cajun seasoning

Pour marinade around mushrooms in baking dish

Important! - Every 15 minutes, open oven and use a spoon to drizzle marinade from bottom of pan over each mushroom.

Bake 45 minutes (or until mushrooms are soft)

I served this with:

Spinach Salad garnished with tomato and Mandarin oranges; topped with fat free Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

Seasoned Wild Rice (no butter added)

Fresh Steamed Asparagus (tied and steamed, standing; served in center of plate of rice)

Strawberries and Cantaloupe layered with Lite Whipped Topping

I prepared the rest of the meal while the entree was baking. That kept me near the oven for basting. Everything was delicious and since it was just the two of us, we had lots of leftovers!

Home Workout - Chest Strength/Muscle Growth
Superset 2 exercises - 3 sets each
Dumbbell chest press on exercise ball - 15 reps
Alternate with:
Exercise ball crunches using tubing for extra resistance - 20 reps
Tubing fly - single arm - 12 reps, each side
Alternate with:
Tubing external rotation for rotator cuff strength - 15 reps each side
Suspension pushups (or regular) - to failure
Alternate with:
Kneeling opposite arm/leg raise - 20 reps
This workout focuses on strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth). The suspension push up recruits stabilizers. The arm/leg raises develop balance and core strength. The rotator cuff muscles are unseen, yet integral shoulder stabilizers that affect chest, back and shoulder movement.
Training Tip:
Warm up with a light weight dumbbell chest press. Choose a weight that you can preform 25-30 reps of. 2 sets - rest between.
Diet Tip:
Beans and peas - incorporate in after workout meals. They are typically 1/2 carb and 1/2 protein. Season with interesting herbs, etc (garlic, onion, parsley, basil, cilantro).

Back Strength Workout

Gym Workout - Back Strength/Muscle Growth
3 sets each, rest between sets
D-handle bar lat pull down - 15 reps (adjust resistance accordingly)
Low rows -15 reps
Smith machine pull-up to failure: kneel on floor head BELOW bar n use to of feet to give slight assistance. To set up, stand by machine and set bar to chin height approximately. *Make sure your knees are in front of bar (when kneeling), head below it and suck your belly in to protect and strengthen abdominal muscles.
Alternate these 2 exercises without rests between sets:
6 second static crunches - 6 times
Light weight dumbbell rows - 25 reps each arm standing on opposite leg (beginners keep other hand lightly touching wall or exercise ball till better balance is achieved)
This workout focuses on strength and hypertrophy(growth). The last two exercises are added to develop balance, recruit stabilizers and focus on neuromuscular development in the core. They may get the heart pumping a little too, if done quickly!
Weight Loss Tip:
Follow workout immediately with 20+ minutes of cardio.
Diet Tip:
Eat within 1 hour a meal containing-
Complex carb
Protein
Vegetable