JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================q" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?V/j2wH{FV1YB9YBdԓD:xUZS_H}0QH ,}ՕFb??AV(bLcIU/2O 3e V:Ah*x1pOjʨ5mroWš?_p?*E{!Xs(@ujGf2`Ҫiw>z pOTłh<"[dQZ J(V44?gS +GEb| cZ"ƽOYϮYjVW0$X\dJ V+?@k=te>Xx5mؕ͹"g-HTUVƸHQB#ʳN?ՑqH♒{>qTu@U;qqU-~`a1s*ޡ Y_6XD}\%#*'U@Oƨ]: |*WMZvOڴ`seS1ai,VW~ f8o28|tBs.^I#{~q\S4uUq#ի>p?*/Z\Bm2a3(}NJc J#>H$܊g{ YaӥAf?)m,NP>h E[Ï`ƊblU†S Ozc2_Āl|Vݻ#zmB 7s\aW#kO8STS5T3Yh㸎Qdg=*62C+G$c#}s.n-v,pA~J"q|E m@1' IcwGgE)&5Si|sz?c2%^;Qla=Ͱ ?g#5cLmdIPvņpAa둌V&pv0H{7b͍։1E!@Q9խf[KV[B .G\Kѳ޽kaUԙ1*1vw8Z!Ow5NmԌ!S媼qQj^׵{֞@Ns+6~h4PQk.WZ۳60niǧg^Dd$2r 1W<&#k[ci 1 ӱgO,Ra zWhZi^A#eV,-Ҥ#,3E3S̩֧r?0i66unޒW<77>-lj;?ΰ`?968A+\"̊d sXpN4IB6Wt$L:GD$zkCXOVp޽x`cOldU5|$R@֤x2M"ƃY7ګ^8GYI3tjFi?MulIq 1sŗ8靂\doCd %䘮q"0ڛkP/u%LrCaxϠ/ qF䔨jy~%æ.8-1# c!Dt 4hYSE?AU"4 3rcp#}_SS$XI1b NO'!<A5sh܄ +td7O"ĜmPe7^LK kmY >cwN<0d-H! 6)<~"\qt\lD@>FGFf8"Fh?/ NTE٢uG  ?;Qۊݯx?qZ SC+F-./Xm!XF V_Nr\~x$74%Й>MoKxy?]/AVu.tG`"h6ue Ԗ$Z|cHhm!-pzѼ'*d8x]قud/!W(tlskZ+Vɖ\ǧZ@9#BHpɮv{9`qB@srH{8#Ԗ Dq+SCPrtkIynQe$9+lm;Hϔ+1'=i$Tb:鬖 5ycG0FF[{DP.v=ُ5Y)"F q1NB+:HLROomQO$e#o8foZLf]M4,\m8ŗs+pp%ߊ(GcddSA:LB Î[-R{_FɌ=JtbAIyegbSlM}>o28rFr4˹//y+D?S8j pJ <P>BFS President Greg Shepard says that proof of the value of such exercises is evidenced in the reduction of injuries reported by those who attend BFS clinics, which teach a number of assistance exercises like the straight-leg deadlift and glute-ham raise. "After one year, schools that have sponsored a BFS clinic average a 50 percent decrease in injuires," says Shepard.</P> <P>Paul Chek, one of the world's foremost experts on strength training exercises for the spine, says that the glute-ham exercise is superior to the back extension for rehabilitation.&nbsp; Chek says that because it works both functions of the hamstrings, the glute-ham exercise is a more functional exercise than the seated back extension machine (and is considerably less expensive).&nbsp; Further, Chek says the glute-ham raise places minimal compressive forces on the spine, forces that can exacerbate lower-back pain.</P> <P align=center><STRONG>BFS and the Glute-Ham Raise</STRONG></P> <P align=left>Core lifts like the power clean and the squat form the basis of a BFS workout, and descriptions of proper performance of these movements can be found in BFS books and courses, as well as demonstrated hands-on at its clinics.&nbsp; While the power clean and squat are essential lifts, a poorly conditioned back can be a weak link that reduces an athletes ability to transfer force from the legs in both these lifts.&nbsp; The result is the athlete will be forced to use lighter weights.&nbsp; This also places potentially harmful stresses on the ligaments and disks of the back.&nbsp; Although an exercise such as the glute-ham raise doesn't create the same stress on the muscles as a power clean or a squat, the additional work helps correct these weak links that may be preventing an athlete from achieving Upper Limit goals.</P> <P align=left>Dr. Mel Siff, a noted exercise scientist from South Africa, had an opportunity to tra