Closed Chain Exercises Are the Best Kept Secret You Must Uncover
A kinesiologist’s guide to bulletproofing joints without equipment.
Are you familiar with the concept of closed-chain exercises? Whether you know the technical definition or not, you’ve likely tried a few before. These are movements where the distal aspect of the extremity (hands/feet) is fixed to an object like the floor. Some popular examples include squats and push-ups where the counterparts (open-chain variations) would be chest presses and leg presses. Getting the picture?
What makes closed-chain exercises so powerful is that they’re far more accessible and functional than machine-based work. A huge part of my philosophy as a kinesiologist and trainer is making exercise as barrier-free as possible while still being effective. Long story short, it doesn’t get much better than this. Many of these variations challenge key areas of health such as stability, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular coordination to make you more robust and injury-free over time.
Another aspect that makes them so compelling is that they’re interesting and fun. Many of these movements will challenge your brain just as much as your body as you navigate movement patterns and balance challenges that will be brand new to you. Variety is the spice of life and adding…
