Low Back Pain? Try “Cat / Cow”

When you are having low back pain, tightness, or spasming, sometimes all it takes is some light stretching to help the area calm down and provide relief. One of my favorite go to’s when this occurs is the “Cat / Cow.”

Start in the quadruped position (on all four’s). Take a deep breath in as you flex your spine up to the sky and tuck your chin toward your chest. Hold this flexed position for about 2-3 seconds. Think about reaching your upper back and lower spine as high as possible. Then reverse the body position as you extend your belly button towards the ground and lift your chin up towards the sky.

Accumulate 2 minutes of flowing through this flexion and extension movement pattern to provide some relief for your low back.

Want to learn more about how to fix your low back pain when deadlifting? Attend our workshop on Saturday, November 17th from 10AM – 11:15 AM. To learn more and sign up, click here.

MICHAEL GAINES

Founder & Head Coach

My career started as a personal trainer at your typical “big box” gym franchise. Although it was a challenge from day 1, I was ready for it – clients at 5 am, clients at 9 pm; clients who aspired to be collegiate athletes; clients who had never exercised; clients who wanted a “quick fix” and crash diets; clients who were lost; and clients who were stepping into the gym for the first time.

It was a daily challenge working with a “one size fits all” program and platform created by executives focused on profit over people. Everyone is so different, so why is the program the same for each person?

I became continually frustrated – how was anyone supposed to hit their individual goals with a program created for an “average” person. How were my clients ever going to feel encouraged when their progress and success was based on impossible standards? It was wrong, and I was determined to do something better.

There needed to be a genuine collaboration of long-term strategies aligned with our member’s unique goals and lifestyles. Couple that with a safe place where they are heard, seen, and understood. Where programs for exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, conquering health battles, and gaining control are creatively designed, individually prepared, intelligently managed, and continually monitored. It took some time to get it right, but I finally curated a program in a place where each member is individually recognized, yet part of a like-minded community. A place we call The X…and a program that is Proudly Different.

My name is Michael Gaines, and I am the proud founder and head coach of The X. Before you ask…the answer is yes – I hold numerous certifications and have put in years of research that serves as the backbone of every individual program we curate. Our members are my family, and it’s hard to articulate the joy I get watching them triumph over their health, fitness, and diet battles. The results are real, long-term, and rewarding. Stop in and say hello. Tell us how you define success and we’ll help you get there!

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