Is there any need for direct neck work for an individual that isn’t competing in a contact sport?
I do a lot of deadlift, and snatches, so my trapezius muscle are getting enough work, but what im talking about here is the other muscles of the neck, like the sternocliedomastoid (if thats how you spell it).
When i did kickboxing, sometimes they would have us lay on our sides, and tilt our heads to our shoulders.
Also i know of an exercise where you where the collar type thing with the chain and attach weights, but i dont have one of those.
Should i be targeting the muscles of my neck or no?
I do not compete in contact sports, but neck exercises are fun. My favorite is the back bridge. Many people following this exercise report postural benefits and pain relief as well. This is however anecdotal.
I think the back/neck bridge is the most practical and useful neck exercise. If you can do it without the support of your arms at all, you have developed a solid neck strength.
All you need is a nerf football and a wall. Put the ball on the wall and push against it with your noggin in each position (flexion, extension, side-to-side). A couple sets of 10+ reps in each position will work.
I hang my head off the edge of my bed and put my Spanish and Psychology text books on my forehead (use the lightest fingertip touch for stability) and hold erect and straight for time. Great workout.
[quote]Doug Adams wrote:
All you need is a nerf football and a wall. Put the ball on the wall and push against it with your noggin in each position (flexion, extension, side-to-side). A couple sets of 10+ reps in each position will work.
A swiss ball can work too.[/quote]
Good suggesttion but ditch the pussy ball. Your head will adapt.
