Why You Should Add The Log to your Training!

The log has been around for decades. Yet is under utilized by both coaches and athletes. There are a number of reasons why this piece of equipment should be added to all athletes training programs. But we must first understand why it has not been used.

For years the log has been used to test the some of the strongest men on the planets shoulder pressing power in the well known competition of Worlds Strongest Man, It however has eluded the mainstream training gyms and many garage gyms simply because they are not readily available as well as not enough people out there to effectively coach the movement properly.

However for the case of this article let's assume you know how to properly teach the cleaning as well as the pressing of this piece of equipment. However if you do not look out for the new book operation overhead press.

What is the log?

The log has handles that are set in a neutral fashion (palms facing each other). This Hand position is a natural position for the human body. It is also thick in diameter ranging from 8-12 inches in diameter with the handles directly in the center of that diameter. The handles are usually spread about 22-26 inches apart. The overall log length can vary from 4 feet all the way up to 8 feet or more.

Why athletes need to use it?

The log is a lot like a barbell in a number of ways, the log can be used for completely unconventional movements (for the log at least). However we will go over these movements in a future article. Athletes and coaches should introduce the log to training because it is something new, Things that are new can add a fresh feeling to training, which in turn can help spark the athlete to training more intensely.

New Stimulus

The human body hates repetition, Over time the athlete will because to see less and less progress doing the same things over and over again. The human body is great at adapting to new things and in turn will likely progress further. Adding in movements using the log can help accelerate the athletes training simply because it is something new and something else the body needs to adapt to.

We want to stress our athletes to the point of forced adaptation or else the athlete won't be making much progress. simply changing the athletes overhead press day to a log press day can be enough new stress for the athlete that progress is seen almost instantaneously.

Shoulder Saver

The diameter of the log may change but the fact that the edges of the log itself in comparison to hand position can be enough to save you or your athletes shoulders.

The gap between the hand and the surface of the log will reduce the range of motion and will take a lot of stress off your athletes shoulders when performing pressing movements.

it is also the natural way the body is built to press. The neutral grip of the log is the natural grip of the athlete. It puts the shoulder and wrist in an optimal position for performance as well as a better position for overall health and injury prevention.

Improve functional ability

Let's face it, training with a barbell and weights that are perfectly calibrated and being in situations that are representing the best environment is inefficient. We want to train our athletes to face the worst of situations and put them in positions where they need to compensate and get stronger. That way when the perfect situations arise they are going to dominate.

The log naturally causes a gap from the midline of the body and the front surface of the log, simply because of the diameter of the log. We have to remember a number of exercises that are done on the barbell can be done with the log with some creativity and using the log will force the athletes to compensate for the distance the implement creates.

Cool Factor

This is just an added bonus, The cool factor. It is a great way to get your athletes enthusiastic about training. pressing a implement some of the strongest athletes on the planet press is a pretty cool thought. Even having the implement as a part of your gym instantly gives your give a cool factor of 10.

All jokes aside. The log can added some much needed variation to your athletes training from both a performance as well as mental stand point!

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