JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================_" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?X+&5>lR9_k 5?3};!ڨ-87vFӋQD"L^=lM9OkK3'^!x8ҹk$L$W\[X\:F^92GH1}$P9vWCZlj gbTi5' HY兣9݀!ciZ\V rbB$ws׭Brؖ H1-ukX"gI ֱ fܕI*w@=)ckibnPxl[2QCp$l Jxx Wj*|Ke\%95 G)1@ eC3jwKUU>d}5FIK5ocb4wi=ט+`)ĎNg$5;kyơ[`[ Jjx5s)"L #@]xvB}ZWB-%t"0FP?Z}H+& (sRVJN̥yfDWF;U Ēxγ"@d]F bk{IK,<jΉm})2@9pjI4:4ov%lqUHTxiV hdmx'qPkԵ\.Զ'+6LU:2Z%%@ ~$cZ.F-pp=xCqks Sal<1JVP ~#QtNv9 XXQ$voE¿R #egKD6E3-̟Q\}(dH3\kU%r]46{[v'pXJ!5mKTQZw>TEF}I>%fy\~6ncKpd7k.%B9;minZ HPѥ`5-E873OZHcY|{U-:t\>zeu=j>g yeϾ(KK9wn}TGܗSYv)6< ~ 5~-1c'kF(!FO^j"{wY$amqjdR8EuZkPt2?`_Ih\7FiQG,#Vio"x.e ֺ?XeB'>=FkÞn. 2IzTA8V-N 98*y{vq xҬ DrF pq=D{\w@ՊϦA>st{H0 㞧\iqoJJN{JM \[H&0ɒy6th,n ! uN\{;#6I;L$̤t[Skb=X#.svU UwJΖg9=ǵG4=֋hszV6XXIt۔U8WQ J9u1*ĒF+7V^XI9,HU v zՃir!-:޵;GsyVfq>rIz\)z?kdEO88j6Id~m=:pc2nlGvD C)1megD;Pq֥{,y<2c>{hx9QV$1;cҊmstrings, 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 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 t