First, thank you Coach Davies and Kelly Baggett for answering a previous post about functional training.
I strongly agree with Kelly and Coach Davies that functional training helps to prevent injury in the long run. My questions concern the short run.
For example, I’ve learned that you should prevent spinal flexion while under load. In the bent press, the spine doesn’t look to be flexed, but does the sideways bend increase the chance of injury?
And does anyone have suggestions about how to learn correct form for the explosive moves in Davies’ Top 9 functional exercises?
jpb: I don’t have the answers, but great questions! This is the kind of stuff that makes me love this forum. I look forward to finding out the answers to these questions too.
Interesting thread! That’s why conditioning is so fun and challenging; there are so many ways to get strong and fit. Certainly Davies’ programs are tremendous for strength/endurance sports. Whether he knows it or not, they are based on the 300 Spartans way of life back in 300BC or so when the opponent was a million Persians, not Michigan! I think Coach will agree! A book BTW on this is “Gates of Fire”.
Anyway, the answer to your technique question is obvious to me and a revenue source for Coach: we must have a video!
shh - your giving away the secret. Truthfully, I am a military historian and yes I take that approach to motivation and development. BTW - never did hear back from you but I hope you are enjoying your new home in the west. In faith, Coach Davies
Great book! A definite must read for any renegade in training. “The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone.” Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Enjoy. Midnight
My apologies but I thought I answered these questions. How can we discuss the safety issue of these exercises. Each of these have a tried and true history with significantly less injury factor once the exercises are learnt. I look forward to helping you. In faith, Coach Davies
Happy Labor Day to all…possibly the greatest quote (other than JC of course)was one of the Spartan leaders when informed that the Persians had so many archers that the huge amount of arrows would block out the sun. Then he said, “Good. Then we’ll have our battle in the shade”. Damn…
If it’s appropriate, I’d also like to know what to do once life shows its imperfections, and you do get an injury. Is training approached the same? If it’s not appropriate, lemme know, and hopefully we can start a separate thread on “Renegade rehab”. Thanks.
I like the idea “Renegade ReHab”. Everyear I get a number of athletes in the NFL calling on me to get them healthy and productive on the field. The brilliance of functional movments is it recognizes and develops from the weakest link. As injuries develop, you obviously need proper medical attention but I think it should also serve as a point of reference for future training and ensure your training is personalized to eliminate your concerns. I hope that assists. In faith, Coach Davies