These days the world is obsessed with high-intensity workouts and cutting-edge fitness trends. However, super-jacked ultra-marathon swimmer Ross Edgley is taking us back in time with a workout routine straight from our nomadic ancestors. Edgley recently shared a captivating video on Instagram, introducing a workout routine that dates back 30,000 years – a routine that promises not just physical growth, but also minimal injuries.
Dubbed the ‘Silverback’ Shoulder Conditioning, Edgley advocates for an exercise that reconnects us with our primal roots. The exercise? Hanging and swinging. In his Instagram caption, he explains the rationale behind it: “We humans are considered part of the great ape family, and while all other great apes continue to swing from trees, we stopped about 30,000 years ago.”
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Ross Edgley’s methods prevent injuries
While performing the exercise in the gym, Edgley emphasizes that in the modern day, despite sharing a similar shoulder structure, “our joints aren’t getting the exercise that nature intended and so they can weaken and become prone to injury.” To address this, he introduces the concept of the “brachiating” hang – a simple act of hanging from a bar for up to 30 seconds, three times a day. Renowned orthopedic surgeon John M. Kirsch also supports this unconventional approach, claiming it can fix up to 99% of shoulder pain.
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According to Kirsch’s, “Shoulder Pain? The Solution and Prevention,” the brachiating hang revives a long-lost form of shoulder prehab and rehab used by our evolutionary ancestors. The exercise involves stretching the brachial artery, responsible for supplying blood and nutrients to the arms. Beyond that, it also targets the supraspinatus tendon – a crucial component for shoulder strength, mobility, and endurance.
The magic lies in the hang’s ability to provide ample space for the supraspinatus tendon to move and stretch without getting pinched. When we raise our arms forward, the tendon often gets trapped between shoulder bones, causing discomfort. However, the brachial hang allows for a free range of motion, enabling the tendon to be exercised, stretched, and reshaped.
A holistic approach for both athletes and layman
Edgley underlines that this exercise isn’t just for athletes dealing with injuries; it’s a holistic approach beneficial for everyone. It’s not merely about achieving physical prowess but also about banishing post-sleep shoulder pain resulting from poor sleeping posture.
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Smrutisnat Jena