More Reasons for the Get-Up

Eric Cressey caught my eye in a recent article. He's a highly sought-after strength coach who is always learning and thinking -- I like that.
(No, that's not Cressey. It's a picture from a 1940's weightlifting manual.)

Cressey's article is What I Learned in 2009. His fourth point is:

Do more grounded-to-standing transitions

He mentions attending a seminar with Dr. Pavel Kolar, a prominent rehabilitation specialist in the Czech Republic. Kolar discussed developmental movement from the perspective that essential neuro-muscular pathways need to be established for proper function. These specific movement patterns are established as babies learn to roll over, get up to all-fours, crawl, stand up and walk.

The idea is that getting back to our developmental roots can help people move better in every respect and prevent injuries.

And Mr. Cressey expressed a new found appreciation for the Turkish Get Up -- a comprehensive ground-to-standing drill that dates far back into history. Something which the RKC School of Strength has emphasized for years -- not because of the research that is now validating the drill, but because of the obvious practical results people have gained.

Read Cressey's article -- he usually has worthwhile things to say.

And do your Turkish Get-Ups.

Excellent video explanation:

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Squats & Tactical Pull-up Workshop

Will Williams
Senior RKC Instructor
in Virginia Beach




Standing next to me is one powerful dude!

It's Will Williams, a senior RKC instructor, an ex-marine, and an outstanding example of the far-reaching expertise embodied in the high-level RKC instructors.

If you're wondering how anyone could spend all day on just squats and pull-ups, then you haven't yet experienced the depths of skill brought to every movement in the RKC school of strength. I find it inspiring and challenging.

Mr. Williams coached a small group of 7 kettlebell fanatics through movement patterning, skill progressions, and corrective exercises for both the squat and pull-up. Along the way, we learned even more about practical applications and the awesome functioning of our body. To move better. To live better.

The tactical pull-up, in contrast to the typical bodybuilder pull-up, is the strength you need to climb over a wall or hoist yourself out of an overturned vehicle. The kind of pull-up strength necessary in the military or police force. For the tactical pull-up, you can't use your thumbs and you need full body tension to get over the bar -- just like in gymnastics moves.

We went from 10 am to 4 pm with a 20 minute lunch break. Will packed in the training, as much as we could stand. I hadn't done so many pull-up in one day -- I was very sore the next day, especially my abs. Proof that squats and pull-ups done well are whole body exercises.

And of the 3 women and 3 men who joined me that day, I continue to be amazed at the remarkable individuals attracted to this kind of physical development.

I loved every minute of the workshop. And I wish you could have been there.