3/21 Whole Life Wednesday

Tammy grinding through the deadlifts in Open Workout 18.4. 
​The deadlift is one of the best lifts you can do for your health. The deadlift is how you safely pick up a heavy object making it completely functional. The deadlift develops core strength and strengthens every muscle on the backside of your body. Heavy deadlifts make you feel like a superhero.
While the deadlift is superior for making your muscles strong, it is also unparalleled for making your bones strong. Osteoporosis, the gradual decrease of bone density, is a condition that affects about half of all women and a quarter of men over 50. Osteoporosis can be avoided and reversed through strength training. The deadlift is, by far, the most effective anti-osteoporosis strength training you can do. 
The most common osteoporosis related fracture is a hip fracture. Can you guess which joint is strengthened via deadlifting? You guessed it! The hip. The hip is the most powerful joint in your body. By making it stronger through deadlifting not only will you stave off osteoporosis, but you will also improve running, rowing, skiing, biking, hiking, jumping, throwing, golfing, and all other sports. Strengthen your hip and watch everything else improve. 
One of the most common pitfalls in fitness, especially amongst women, is a lack of strength training. Ask anyone (who doesn't do CrossFit) how to get in shape and they will tell you to run, or do cardio, or get on the elliptical, or walk. Yes, all of those activities can improve cardiovascular endurance, but they won't get you in shape and they won't make your bones denser. Yoga won't make your bones denser. Running won't make your bones denser. Swimming won't make your bones denser. Picking up something heavy (relative to your strength and ability) will make your bones denser. Aren't we lucky we pick up heavy things in the gym on a regular basis?

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