The “Shoulders - Down and Back” Cue

kbaby2020
kbaby2020 Posts: 63 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I’ve read a lot of conflicting opinions about this cue. Is it correct? Should you use it for every lift? I’ve realized I’ve been using this cue while doing every exercise - even abdominal exercises - because it would feel strange otherwise if my upper back was engaged.

Opinions?

Replies

  • MaltedTea
    MaltedTea Posts: 6,286 Member
    I think it depends on the lift and what muscle you're trying to activate.

    Generally, however, my Gyrotronics instructor is not a fan if you're trying to do this before anything involving core work (insert her 5-min spiel on tailbones and psoas muscles here...and then mandatory work on the torture device)
  • kbaby2020
    kbaby2020 Posts: 63 Member
    MaltedTea wrote: »
    I think it depends on the lift and what muscle you're trying to activate.

    Generally, however, my Gyrotronics instructor is not a fan if you're trying to do this before anything involving core work (insert her 5-min spiel on tailbones and psoas muscles here...and then mandatory work on the torture device)

    It would apply for most upper body lifts right? But what about lower lifts? Example, hip thrust? Or goblet squat?

  • MaltedTea
    MaltedTea Posts: 6,286 Member
    Well squats target your core muscles so by her logic and experience, the focus isn't on your shoulders anyway. But she's into Gyrotronics mostly (and weight trains herself but is NOT a personal trainer).

    Perhaps ask a trainer, kinesiologist, sports therapy pro etc near you so that they can give you personal tips on adapting your form, if necessary.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Depends and is subjective to the individual.

    Cues are just a way to translate a result. I may use five different cues on five different people to achieve the same result.

    I might use that cue or a variation for deadlift, back squat, certain rows, etc...

    Is it correct? Maybe.
  • kbaby2020
    kbaby2020 Posts: 63 Member
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    Depends and is subjective to the individual.

    Cues are just a way to translate a result. I may use five different cues on five different people to achieve the same result.

    I might use that cue or a variation for deadlift, back squat, certain rows, etc...

    Is it correct? Maybe.


    I’ve been using it mainly because I feel like I have trouble activating/feeling my lats in certain upper body movements.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    kbaby2020 wrote: »
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    Depends and is subjective to the individual.

    Cues are just a way to translate a result. I may use five different cues on five different people to achieve the same result.

    I might use that cue or a variation for deadlift, back squat, certain rows, etc...

    Is it correct? Maybe.


    I’ve been using it mainly because I feel like I have trouble activating/feeling my lats in certain upper body movements.

    If it works for you when appropriate great. If not there are other cues that might acvomplush the same objective.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    I think it USUALLY applies to many only because many have bad posture and slumping shoulders. Especially those that spend so much time on a computer for work.
    Lots and lots of people focus so much on their "fronts" and not enough on their "rears" because it's hard to see what's going on from the backside. Hence things like rear delts, back, hamstrings, calves get neglected alot and usually end up weaker than their antagonist's muscles.
    It's a pretty good rule of thumb just so that you're paying attention to form.

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    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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