JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================n" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?rje q;Ӂꠀ)@ 244H$ҧր#^4201Js-RyvI+ڊIWiR\Znv!=3Q0x?:EqL)撗IS7i8C('\sҊ봯ń7ZB $w}3E)l`?uA<$JĻf({d;[{x#Q6JaxnH 73x95NlȴFh) d?ҩ2:H\ tp^5xzwǮ+ P9o0v.4ȩ[YÕTsn'nRy֔f@OMzςc4JGo}t͓'jZ*!(d%b> h(%ղ'p$eKR㦧 >ͬ`# {W+^2jY&x@7Tz fa+#W$mdG;H_溿xEZZ~r zgy3T=ǕϘgV[Xk+בE̋-y,A9'Ұ.Y#{դK6Wр@ӑb YRvRҺEC[8ӓ p,?|[z)LaВxXxk-e۴߮ d5D.}O S IHf{}J6$A32?*${[Wg-$1fR4Q\qy> E cF@s,$idɈUz֓Zj$4C ryVQ"m1WuFMOP32ځpg&Js&ust4Em0%X{V-c)8W$hQ'2INm#v3KtqEChʅs^ ;O>Ip(  +y-Պ,qؚQ\'-W ʢ>:u5-Wb2OHU v;QX"z#6p2EyzEC'#2PlYP=\gjYh¶tv,s|(P` Υ y. ۉyOS]2$+Snn"׊]" '޴4i#drAn7QJPx&ms̄T}~m܃#FAoJ^vPBNj̗<Xbs=[WC3%Yyvm*Q=?t;pe{BF* U+y ?gM$~t-8`TY*a-GF5$N +;>oL6$S١g] ' Cһ[m]ur١,`&b9 `&2V#Rl',8^+w+p4j0]&G q]?wxku}.j6$uY1;+| eFYjҌ4vq5^P9N+"7sZGU&ο8nMW0J.-Ʀ,Uv܊iy^)tQ35mJax+SeFVjE9x*pG)oA@҄YrsКmm4(&8r?ZpVF8` ƺlMI4oT`ժO]\E֢֭4u 1eTyH8$;O'p+n@`09Xf,ZVz'ҧ dؙ$=qi kv9=2*wS:8hpx'O=h (JE ٠y"4t+][z2~"۩G_΍PᲶH` (p=諃 tearing the ACL. Because the glute-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, says Poliquin.<br>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 injuries, says Shepard.<br>Paul Chek, oe of the world s foremost experts on strength training exercises for the spine, sas that the glute-ham exercise is superior to the back extension for rehabilitation. Chek says that because its 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). Further, Chek says the glute-ham raise places minimal compressive forces on the spine, forces that can exacerbate lower-back pain.<br><br>BFS and the <br>Glute-Ham Raise<br><br>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. 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. The result is the athlete will be forced to use lighter weights. This also place potentially harmful stresses on the ligaments and disks of the back. 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 preve