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    The ‘Ghoul Gauntlet’

    This month’s campaign centres on the ‘Ghoul Gauntlet’, a fun but purposeful circuit that showcases effective total body training.

    How it works

    Pumpkin Press – 10 Dumbbell Shoulder Presses
    Zombie Squats – 15 Bodyweight Squats
    Haunted Deadlifts – 10 Barbell or Dumbbell Deadlifts
    Witch’s Plank Hold – Hold for 30 seconds
    Skeleton Sit-ups – 15 Sit-ups
    Monster Mountain Climbers – 20 reps (10 each leg)
    Spider Crawls – 10 per side

    Repeat as many times as possible

    Muscle of the month

    Monthly workouts targeting specific muscles

    Each month we’ll focus on a different muscle so you can learn how to train different areas of your body.

    Previous Months

    October Muscle of the Month: Erector Spinae

    Week 1: Anatomy & Function of the Erector Spinae (Back)

    Meet Your Back Stabilisers

    Your erector spinae are not one muscle. They are a team of three that run up either side of your spine:

    • Iliocostalis – outer column that helps keep you upright
    • Longissimus – middle column that drives posture and control
    • Spinalis – inner column close to the spine for fine stability

    Together they extend the spine, resist rounding and twisting, and stabilise your trunk during hip hinges, carries, rows and overhead work.

    Strong erectors = better posture, safer lifting, reduced back ache, and more powerful movement in sport and daily life.

    #KnowYourMuscles
    #StrongBack
    #PosturePower
    #HingeWell

    Week 2 – Erector Spinae in Daily Life and Sport

    How they support you

    Daily tasks: Pick up shopping, lift a child, stand and sit tall at a desk

    In the gym: Deadlifts, rows, overhead presses, loaded carries

    In sport: Maintain posture for running and swimming, transfer power through the hips and shoulders

    Your erector spinae stabilise the trunk, resist rounding and twisting, and help you finish movements tall and strong.

    Use them well
    • Bring the load close to the shins or body before you lift
    • Hinge at the hips with a long spine and lightly braced midsection
    • Finish tall without leaning back and keep your gaze level

    Try this 60 second check

    • 3 slow hip hinges to a wall
    • 1 controlled pick up and stand with a light kettlebell
    • 20 metre suitcase carry each side, walk tall

    Strong, well timed erectors mean safer lifts, better power transfer, and fewer back niggles in work, training, and sport.

    #EverydayAthlete
    #StrongBack
    #MoveWell
    #HingeWell

    Key moves

    Romanian Deadlift (RDL): hinge pattern that loads glutes, hamstrings, and erectors
    Back Extension to neutral: controlled raise, stop at a straight line
    Bird-dog / Dead-bug: trunk control without loading the spine
    Suitcase or Farmer Carry: resist side-bend, finish tall

    Technique cues

    Neutral spine, light 360° brace, hips travel back, keep the load close, finish tall without leaning back. Smooth down, firm up.

    Try this mini session

    • RDL 3 × 6–8 (slow 3 sec down, pause, stand tall)
    • Back Extension 3 × 10–12 (stop at neutral)
    • Side Plank 2–3 × 30–45s each side
    • Rest 60–90s between movements.

    Scale it

    Regress: Cable pull-through, bodyweight back extension
    Progress: Double KB RDL, weighted back extension, heavier carries

    Quality over load. If form slips or pain appears, reduce weight and speak to an instructor.

    #PosteriorChain
    #StrongBack
    #HingeWell
    #TrainSmart

    Week 3: Strengthening the Erector Spinae

    Week 4: Mobility, Recovery and Prevention

    Why it matters

    Flexible hips and upper back let your erector spinae do their real job: control and stability. Mobilise the right areas, then add light activation so your back feels strong and comfortable.

    Three move reset

    • Half-kneeling hip flexor stretch 3 × 30–40 seconds each side, squeeze the back glute
    • Hamstring slider or band stretch 2 × 8 slow reps each side
    • Thoracic extension over foam roller 2 × 6 gentle rocks, then 3 slow breaths

    Control and activation

    • Bird-dog 2 × 6 each side with a 2 second pause
    • Prone cobra 2 × 20–30 seconds, eyes down, grow long not high

    Recovery habits

    Walk daily, change posture every 40–60 minutes, breathe through the nose and expand the lower ribs, sleep with the neck supported in neutral. After heavy hinge days, add easy cardio and this reset.

    When to ease off

    Stop and speak to an instructor if you feel sharp pain, pain that spreads, or symptoms that build despite reducing load.

    Small, frequent mobility plus good technique keeps your back resilient for training and everyday life.

    #BackCare
    #MobilityMatters
    #RecoverWell
    #MoveOften

    Ask our Fitness Motivators for advice on how to perform these exercises if you’re unsure.

    Muscle of the Month Archives

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