Self Maintenance...It's Your Job!

Here is an excellent post on self maintenance written by Jenny LaBaw from NorCal Strength & Conditioning.  I encourage you all to read it and to implement the advice.  The original post can be found HERE.

“All human beings should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves.”  -Kelly Starrett

All of our members at Norcal Strength and Conditioning have spent time rolling around on the roller, digging lacrosse balls into their muscles and distracting their joints with bands.  Many of them participate for an hour or two weekly with Justin in Mobility Class to help their bodies move better.  Everyone cooperates and does what we, as coaches, ask them do to without much question.  But…do you really know WHY we are having you do this?  It’s not because we love to hear people scream and yell when they find “that spot”…although it is pretty funny to see some of your “pain faces.”  Here’s a bit more on what goes down in the body.

Our joints and soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) get all gunked up when not treated well.  If we come into the gym and lift heavy things and jump onto tall objects and sprint on hard surfaces…or if we’re at home all day bending over funny to pick up kids, do dishes, clean house, etc…or if worst of all we’re sitting at a desk all day…or some combo kit of it all…our body will eventually get pissed and lock up on us.  This will cause aches, pains and immobility…all of which will inhibit our performance in the gym, not to mention our functionality in everyday life.  Our muscles are supposed to glide past one another, but when not treated properly they literally get laminated together, the tendons and ligaments that ares supposed to stretch become brittle and as a result our joints lose mobility and get pulled in funky directions.  All that doesn’t sound exactly “healthy” does it?  Well..not to worry…you too can prevent forest fires (in the body).

Daily maintenance doesn’t mean you have to spend an hour everyday on the floor rolling around and stretching…but it does mean you have to make it a priority.  Pick and choose if you don’t have time for it all.  If you know your calves and heel cords are tight when you squat or you know you have a bit of impingement in your shoulder or you know your hip flexors are locked up from sitting in a chair all day…focus on YOUR NEEDS.  Hit those daily and anything else you can fit in is supplemental.  You’re not going to do too much, I can guarantee you that.

I recommend coming to the gym about 10 minutes before class and spending time on the things you know you need to work on.  If you’re not sure, ask one of us, or refer to the link at to bottom of this blog.  I also recommend staying after class 10 minutes and doing the same thing.  Keep your roller, softball, lacrosse ball, “stick”, golf balls, resistance bands, voodoo straps, etc in your living room so when you’re chillin watching the game, or playing cards with the kids, or petting the dog, you are also performing basic maintenance on yourself.  It’s not as hard as it sounds guys.  Something is always better than nothing in this case, so if you’re just laying on the roller opening up your chest to relax after work…guess what…you’re helping your body!

Remember what Kelly Starrett (the mobility guru) says, ”All human beings should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves.”   Come to class, ask a coach and do your own homework.  Utilize www.mobilitywod.com, Kelly’s website, to help keep your body moving well and pain free.  Also, check out Amazon and pre-order his book Becoming A Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance.