Is Compensation Robbing You Of Your Gainz?

Your brain is the command center that's capable of initiating movement or preventing it from occurring. When you need something done, like picking up something from the floor, your brain starts a sequence of muscle contractions that ultimately allow you to, well, pick something up. This is a perfect situation, where everything works as it should.

Unfortunately, that's not always how things are. For example, let's say your glutes are weak and unable to cope with certain loads. Your brain communicates with your body “yeah, nah, the glutes are out, send in the hammies”. This communication is called neural inhibition and facilitation.

When something is weak or unable to get the job done, your brain inhibits that muscle. In the example above, the glutes are inhibited. Now, since the glutes aren't doing too much, something needs to pick up the slack. So, your brain facilitates the hamstrings. In other words, it decreases how much the glutes work and increases how much the hamstrings work.

Perfect. Your body is now capable of picking something up off the floor. BUT. Your body isn't moving efficiently. When you don't move efficiently, you’re lacking strength. This is where compensation start.

Your brain develops a compensation pattern allowing you to move for quantity rather than quality. When you move for quantity over long periods of time, you can expect things to deteriorate. This is where pain and dysfunction can start.

It's these little things that can hinder you from reaching your goals. These very things that can lead to niggles, and when left unattended, can wreak havoc. Regardless of your goals, even if they're not gym specific, training your weaknesses is non-negotiable.

Enter: corrective exercises. 

To some, corrective exercise is the boring stuff. It's the behind-the-scenes work that people do, but don't show. Nobody brags about a corrective exercise PR! Training your weaknesses is the foundation of a strong & resilient body. You can imagine what a weak foundation can do for you longterm.

Since everyone is different, not everyone needs the same corrective exercises. That's why an assessment is crucial. We need to know what your body is capable of right now in order to prepare it to do what you need. 

Are you ready to break down the barriers holding you back? Are you ready to smash PBs and never look back? Then its time to take the first step. Click here to book your FREE movement assessment consultation!

Dr. Cory Myers, The Practical Physio

Helping the #EverydayAthlete increase their performance and recover from injury so they can train hard and stay injury free.