JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?{t7SiC_΁PcҔ.Hg\Roʂ0;@B#p;F:o8N26o* HE89L`'NH@VP(B.zcM'd( G'S47gڃ@q_ҊNP#o /T@(nVG.?P?ܞWeڔ'(ac Io\UwuKa^WG֟; n1g|PG+<߳t/)SG9=/]Ǧ Z[ІI zJQ Az~i3s.(Vn@fEnW59 IںY<9kו'v}- H MV1_}:c~Ard2PKMݱn$@cN7“隁 k+7Rv+yҋopRSƊE] 3OBR*R++jQһ3$SWm̷=2ѫ9R6u 1gC1Љc-r4J2*&8(M-a\֓7k>+b+A=ݮ.VI $D߻p~W#M" w0H~#A2"}EKJxU|H/'ך𱵎JY1n*/ e6_ºhޥ) ӽCwEӹy{5嚕2j0F:Q%18k/[n 3)`O\cRrzڛv#ӭ1K+!n0GR}+:nOΚƪ0Qbb =:ff1"2 9F+V{Um h40InWŞO2 4,οEy~:.ɝT/>+FT* Tc?QҮUBPH\NN?Jt jƨK1^|;W?Ԥv]pG#jj i<-inC.[eŢ6ۑǗVO5ű77?@=Ժ]SoSԓY7cG%/HĒ}@5kkZֵv10FLw?bVVFSiHiU7Pq8x$4P1sE (8qHH4L N: =w x^ Z0D!'p^I-Hgak}>/u8&a%:XuIHc t^)'3-pIysaWEm[[YCn*5]^Ode=xESO3xOW) ,G'HcS!TM>? 3F(4B(1E@ v&4*@'ڀ"IG-Z^,N ~Fՠ =U%]ω],֐N0(GNjZHN4iR3m"Xnf:t5jum"#8UY.$ QM s@'֖C8UKNJ/v#8+;H۝ܜ@ #.(H(py杊(COJPP \ (`b(E(@Q@ve found that athletes who are weak in the hamstrings, glutes and lower back not only are more likely to injure the lower back, but also are especially prone to tearing the ACL.&nbsp; Because the glue-ham exercise increases muscle mass and strength in the back, glutes and hamstrings, those athletes who include this exercise in their programs are better able to withstand the 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 pot