JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================u" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?Bt,t^Tq9?U>(R6~jLC8 ks[#Fb#0;w Bܕp ւ ~rr&fU+$m-O?* +I/VP{֖k%0A_SM+bG(;?tĐ[9 5XT<3o#`cs@!N A꒰~)@G #l33TTiׇi8<X"} Iq3W@R|7#/H䭭YN6 ZW[%;և!\#[6&5'c`i%q=6>|[إbbjghf:CFҸSe"`>jb.Ř$40]]b8OqՋ<V|C8a4IT\9PF }o 9 6`+nt-VWҥZ>^a#?cy֯xve[ p J-6)J: i90 ע?{g֊Ю緻0$V az $XLʰ#q#fXÂX=И8Hg}\NKbJ͵s&y\ywlYf s+` t`oSڒ/r O#x\ϮodHIz].l#VG +ɸ|ޣ+խWլc5vqkQ^!D]r-(Oi&Ƴp#U\0H9m! K*I̊.?*)\,Xm2`+ >nAk)XzK7@ i?Ķvڞ#(~hrswwt+8UFYC@cXU]Iɔ[ S:vwp4mam9U"ʧ6$Q*2UaG+jHE7U ҹ\!7fZEX{l $MQk9.%ݭ N_Zӵ\7mEJ6Ms*JF@@b(W|lɸhc!}OaӴ,o1<0x׵!.Y3U WM{QB{%؃KwfUxe=*tBH= 2,bEP(f'2(rqY^FTN2H"uVv i@:Pjb7# $ڻU9 fM~oٶvZ*`z(XtT=ڮM*ќZYdSX=Ĺp=[Ihe1!3aT`2HϮ Sx#9 i]U${!%;z֣@?QYFE,5PsSzJ'W}ÎWZ%eb V(Fh%oMnZZn?fSu7bCA>?@ T7Pjqz`{^v6xV8ƗYmRcޫP{1SR0}`԰+9ro ghb(fm<#kH#=7mm@R@>jQ'f>֢L95G8RE y9_j( qTcE dF|{U88buU??v^HEHKos7;)ފ(c$ i\(;ʫ)+QIqEhe compressive loads on the spine and those forces that occur with sports such as football and alpine skiing,"&nbsp;says Poliquin.</P> <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