Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog

Soccer ( football to our European friends) has a huge problem. Hamstring strains are near epidemic levels. The NFL is not far behind.

As usual, the researchers have all the answers. Actually the answer. DO MORE NORDICS.

Ok, you might ask yourself, “what is a Nordic” and “will it actually prevent hamstring injury”?

Both are good questions so, lets answer them in order:

1- a “Nordic” is basically an eccentric hamstring exercise. Probably in the glute hamstring raise family but without equipment. ( see Mike Boyle on Glute Hams Youtube)

The truth is the Nordic Leg Curl demoed above may be more a test than an exercise or, may be the peak of a very steep pyramid of posterior chain exercise?

I think it’s a real oversimplification to say “just do these Nordic Leg Curls” and you will have healthy hamstrings. I think attempting these exercises with beginners is more of an accident waiting to happen and, not have a progression to get to “Nordics” might in fact cause some injuries.

To learn more, read this:

Mike Boyle- Dealing With Hamstring Injury

I wrote this a few weeks ago for StrengthCoach.com

Unilateral Training and the Bilateral Deficit

“What if the way we had always done it was wrong?”

Lee Cockrell- Creating Magic

Any time we bring long held beliefs into question there is bound to be controversy. However, imagine that I was going to show you a new spin on lower body strength training that would allow you to train with heavier weights and yet was far safer and potentially more effective than what you currently do? I think many intelligent coaches would at least initially say “show me”.

to finish, click here