Convict Conditioning - Paul Wade

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Apart from these fundamental symptoms, spinal injuries are also associated with horrible sideeffects
including muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, neuropathic pain, and an inability to control basic
physiological functions such as blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate. To make matters
even worse, the nerve structure of the spinal cord is incredibly complex, and once it is damaged,
the nerves only have a very limited ability to repair themselves. Christopher Reeve shattered the
first and second vertebrae in his spine, in the neck, and as a result his functioning below the neck
virtually disappeared. It took him many months of daily therapy before he was even able to
breathe for short periods without a respirator.
The safety of the spinal cord is dependent upon the integrity of the spinal column. This in turn
largely depends upon the health of the network of ligaments and muscles which support it. Once
the spinal column is formed, the best way you can protect your spinal cord and keep it healthy is
to maintain strong spinal erectors.
Perhaps short of breathing, eating healthily and sleeping regularly, when you invest time training
to protect your spine, you are doing the most important thing you can do for your health. It's
that simple.
The Spine and
Athletic Qualities
If you are one of these guys who has a barbell set at home for fitness and strength, you would
do well to sell it and buy a cushioned mat to train your spine on instead. I realize that this suggestion
seems so far from the current bodybuilding-style culture of strength and fitness that it seems
almost funny. But I'm not joking.
The spine is the equivalent of the universal joint on a motor car. Every piece of pressure generated
by movement goes through it-from little motions of the head and neck, to very powerful
forces such as those generated in a heavy football tackle. If your spine is weak, you can suffer all
kinds of trauma from these actions-anything from an excruciating "slipped disc" to a compression
fracture. You might even break your back. The more athletic movements you make, the more
risk to your spine. The stronger your spinal muscles are, the more punishment your spine can take
and bounce back smiling.
Apart from preventing sports injuries, the spinal muscles also playa fundamentally positive role
in strength and athleticism. The spinal muscles are incredibly strong, and are involved in practically
every major motion, from throwing and twisting to bending over and lifting. Without good,
robust spinal muscles, strength cannot exist. It's impossible to use the limbs-whether curling,
squatting, pressing or pulling-without using the spinal muscles. These muscles are used more
than any other voluntary muscles. The stronger your spinal muscles, the better you will be at practically
any athletic motion you can name.