JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================^" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?L8#Zێ/6I $ŞXޭ4C[nYe?姭V\*eS%E&8<}k@ؙ'@ܼ{:p* ]-̆bcLlcێ t G4N@ qme UpXִW{5})$*q +[fR.#3d Ӛ\cHv@c$:hUdmFkm%}8Eq:!H1%ai F:i:.4e7hƓ VQ 잢RզO(`#]8SoUn}ƣ$%% cv:g^ƋdJ\w>jIEŴYKH,&zqn]F8)$SVY]T69I{m?!Y%*Mn<н1JUCڹۘQ:s]ݚ^Bb%Oh-R;Et4;񱃷![I'ycoR-]NY~뎾)QiZ]%7"L91xD9p?!DUNW$ڝ˨%:s\Nd[A*8`*ΛVSx)kNpi{[{IrΏl1󜎤Zc~fIEl^4{Y!1V @uoW؇̡Bp}NNă+@BО!8aQ>iZ9c%L\ɯ JzښLw7a=@vWkcAq1(#F6 R==#1a`OfsIj7mnCUqMKZ3Br=VyA47*i)֕B ӾI6CգF]k1]U֣ЅHsFoz|7~NKmytgW:N.8 O-~i4a8]EY]w(8J]K^5Y\\6r¯DiNs&ce*G,sPH\gq>y}(l(.JCQMJKkO(kʀިZN 3pr q…9&MU$3ZߕioFZI8=WӢg t  U%$|^Li]ޢpC8䚛=\ [T}s'^jjլFoi![pPx4[medtVT):j]UwF]/al޽ jUiQoJoj6_X[[$@;p\:nM5:Feۑ~u6ʞ.|+(.eni#ldEVo0iH9c ꚧ3+XzQҮ])n\P˸+6Q˚Cq3K\yH!8$Цѝ/>p r;pSInAcǦOtP{LfET::Rg#fq2$@gkzm>L-"H6U^o..#da8]נa̦_-du]yNJ̝&Yh%֊6CEKw[\t<yĤMm$e@2~᫫1YOg=ATj0_ڡ$D2SXzK|nzMFUY !{Ձ{$ǖ&<+ %NfRzImd!e*37y#o-Ʊrl.ʲeZ11?vAFINV0`g8'x-5K M{u4bGQ[Yheh#]O4i*o+y``I#WKcG:%pKMs>2gK)Q Řu}*~SiFj1I┾ediw8'+, _oe<Ӗ=yڲ)F3:SNRd> ( gں5G+1CÜW5HOw;3*-(qu&%Mo QMs*RZbpt6ֵ]}E:_/{օ,dqY~3vn0 pO\MF5S^[6B&DWqwO1v\{W#yY潏V8nGS"+TJI3ң[[ *zjpjP ќ:k7GК(2)H$s+sXr:bOk'i]y$O}sH3l ~ֹ 0r9dR[@1^ҧ⛍K°/l Vb[yvd <P>BFS President Greg Shepard says that proof of the value of such exercises is evidenced in the reduction of injuries reported by those who attend BFS clinics, which teach a number of assistance exercises like the straight-leg deadlift and glute-ham raise. "After one year, schools that have sponsored a BFS clinic average a 50 percent decrease in injuires," says Shepard.</P> <P>Paul Chek, one of the world's foremost experts on strength training exercises for the spine, says that the glute-ham exercise is superior to the back extension for rehabilitation.&nbsp; Chek says that because it works both functions of the hamstrings, the glute-ham exercise is a more functional exercise than the seated back extension machine (and is considerably less expensive).&nbsp; Further, Chek says the glute-ham raise places minimal compressive forces on the spine, forces that can exacerbate lower-back pain.</P> <P align=center><STRONG>BFS and the Glute-Ham Raise</STRONG></P> <P align=left>Core lifts like the power clean and the squat form the basis of a BFS workout, and descriptions of proper performance of these movements can be found in BFS books and courses, as well as demonstrated hands-on at its clinics.&nbsp; While the power clean and squat are essential lifts, a poorly conditioned back can be a weak link that reduces an athletes ability to transfer force from the legs in both these lifts.&nbsp; The result is the athlete will be forced to use lighter weights.&nbsp; This also places potentially harmful stresses on the ligaments and disks of the back.&nbsp; Although an exercise such as the glute-ham raise doesn't create the same stress on the muscles as a power clean or a squat, the additional work helps correct these weak links that may be preventing an athlete from achieving Upper Limit goals.</P> <P align=left>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted exercise scientist from South Africa, had an opportunity to train with the late Serge Reding back in 1971.&nbsp; This Belgian behemoth was the first man to snatch 400 pounds and was considered the greatest rival of the&nbsp;most famous weightlifter of all time, Vasily Alexeyev.&nbsp; Siff saw Reding squat, all the way down, without wraps, 880 pounds for 5 reps and perform repeated jumps a foot off the ground while holding 286 pounds in his hands!&nbsp; "When Serge Reding stayed with our family, he shared an enormous amount of material with me,"&nbsp;recalls Siff.&nbsp; "He stressed th