Where is your neck when you squat?
Some strength coaches still preach to look up toward the ceiling when you squat. This goes against a couple of key movement principles in physical therapy:
- Protect the spine. If you are arching the neck, you are likely arching your low back as well — two movements that put your spine at risk for injury and reduce glute involvement.
- Exercises should match the activity you are training for. What activity do you perform where you squat and look up? A linebacker would miss the running back; a catcher would miss the pitch.
I treat this faulty movement pattern a lot in the clinic. It usually presents as TMJ disorder, tension headaches, neck pain, and/or shoulder pain.
The key: keep the neck more in line with the back and keep a light chin tuck. This will help your performance.
Related service: Neck Pain