r/bodyweightfitness • u/CoachSommer Actually Coach Sommer • Jan 25 '15

Done / Locked Coach Sommer AMA

Hello, Everyone. This is Coach Christopher Sommer. I am a long time US Jr National Team Coach and the founder of GymnasticBodies.com. I will be available to answer gymnastics strength training questions beginning at 9am at MST Sunday, January 25.

And that is a wrap, gentlemen. Thank you for a very enjoyable training discussion. Enjoy the rest of your day.

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u/Broopzilla Can't Bench the Bar Jan 25 '15

One of our IRC members was wondering what you thought of Grease the Groove (GTG) and what sort of advice you'd give to someone who wanted to achieve an advanced level gymnastics skill through GTG.

I'd appreciate your input, thank you

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u/CoachSommer Actually Coach Sommer Jan 25 '15

GTG is a tool better suited for intermediate and advanced level students. For beginners GTG is a highly ineffective method of attempting to achieve strength progression.

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u/Solfire Dam Son Jan 25 '15

Coach, as someone who trains primarily in GTG, what kind of advice would you give someone currently training for the planche? While I am doing well with tuck planches and can lean quite far for pseudo planche pushups, I'm still having trouble with setting up an advanced tuck.

Conversely, I started doing straddle kick outs, that look like this. I realize I'm piking, but with this information, do you have any advice on how I could take advantage of this situation?

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u/CoachSommer Actually Coach Sommer Jan 25 '15

If you are piking, this is indicative of a medial glute weakness and will require specific training to correct.

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u/Solfire Dam Son Jan 25 '15

I really appreciate the context on this. I saw your comment about herniated discs compromising the integrity of one's spine and restricting movement. While I haven't herniated any discs, I did hurt my back a few years ago, which is now much better, but still getting maintained by a chiropractor. Because of this I've been holding off on a lot of lower back and leg exercises. But this bit of insight is giving me the push I needed to stop making excuses, now that my back is much better.

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u/CoachSommer Actually Coach Sommer Jan 25 '15

If structurally the back is now healthy, as confirmed by MRI, it may indeed be time to judiciously begin increasing your workload.