O'Connell reveals her posterior chain programming.
Written by Phil Blechman Last updated on February 5th, 2024
The glutes and hamstrings are powerhouses of the lower body. Strong glutes propel forward movement and stabilize the pelvis. Powerful hamstrings boost athletic performance, lower injury risk, and enhance overall functionality. (1)
It can be challenging to effectively strengthen the posterior chain, which includes the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and erector spinae. On Jan. 28, 2024, seven-time CrossFit Games athlete Kristi O’Connell published a video on her YouTube channel, sharing her six go-to exercises to fortify the glutes and hamstrings. Check it out below:
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1. Banded Hip Extension
O’Connell banded hip extensions in her warm-up routine before squats or other heavy posterior chain exercises.
- Setup:Anchor the band to a squat rack pole 10 to 12 inches above the floor. Step inside the band, place it over the hip crease, and step forward to create tension.
- Position:Drop to a tall kneeling position with knees slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Execution:Maintain a neutral spine as you hinge at the hips, allowing the band to pull you back. Then, extend your hips forward by squeezing your glutes.
“When our glutes and hamstrings are working properly, our back is going to do less work,” said O’Connell. “So when doing this drill, make sure you don’t feel your back kicking on but feel just the glute working.”
2. Bulgarian Split Squat
The Bulgarian split squat recruits stabilizing muscles while allowing the glutes to train in a more lengthened position.
- Setup:Stand two to four feet away from a bench and place your rear foot on it (laces down).
- Position:Ensure a vertical shin on the front leg when you lower your body, keeping the front foot planted on the ground.
- Execution:Lower your hips toward the ground, focusing on moving back and down. Push through the front foot to return to the starting position.
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3. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining tension in the target muscles, O’Connell avoided full extension at the top of the sumo squats to keep the glutes and hamstrings engaged.
- Setup:Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width, holding a dumbbell vertically between your legs with both hands.
- Position:Squat while keeping your chest up and back straight.
- Execution:Lower into the squat until your hamstrings and glutes are at least parallel to the floor. Then, return to the starting position, stopping short of full extension.
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4. Deficit Lunge
Similar to the Bulgarian split squat, the deficit lunge introduces elevation to achieve a deep glute and hamstring stretch.
- Setup:Stand on an elevated surface (about four inches high; a 45-pound bumper plate should be sufficient) with dumbbells at your sides.
- Execution:Step back into a lunge, lowering until the front thigh is parallel to the ground, ensuring a vertical shin. Push through the front leg to return to the starting position.
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5. Single Leg Romanian Deadlift (RDL)
O’Connell demonstrated two variations of the single-led Romanian deadlifts:
Version One (Staggered Stance)
- Setup:Place most of your weight on your front leg, with the back leg slightly behind for balance. This is also known as a B-stance or kickstand RDL.
- Execution:Hinge at the hips, keeping a slight bend in the front knee. Lower the weight toward the ground, maintaining a straight back, then drive through the heel to return to the starting position.
Version Two (Foot on Wall)
- Setup:This setup is similar to Version One, but place your non-working foot against a wall for balance.
- Execution:Perform the hinge, focusing on stretching the hamstring of the working leg. Squeeze the glute, and focus on shortening the hamstring to return to the starting position.
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6. Traditional RDL
Conventional RDLs are a staple in O’Connell’s workouts.
- Setup:Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbells in front of your thighs.
- Position:Start with a slight knee bend and maintain it throughout the exercise.
- Execution:Hinge at the hips to lower the weights, keeping a neutral spine. Focus on achieving a deep hamstring stretch at the bottom before squeezing the glutes to return to the upright position.
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Accessory and Compound Movements
This is how O’Connell segments and employs the above six exercises in her training regimen:
- Primers:Use exercises like banded kickbacks, hip extensions, and hamstring curls to activate and prime the muscles and develop a mind-muscle connection before a workout.
- Primary Compound Movements:Includes exercises that target multiple muscle groups, such as heavy Bulgarian split squats or deficit lunges.
- Accessory Work:Finish the workout with high-volume, lighter-weight exercises to further fatigue the muscles beyond the primary movements.
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References
- Widodo, A. F., Tien, C. W., Chen, C. W., & Lai, S. C. (2022). Isotonic and Isometric Exercise Interventions Improve the Hamstring Muscles’ Strength and Flexibility: A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(5), 811.https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10050811
Featured image: @kristieramo on Instagram
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in strength training and fitness, I have extensive knowledge and experience in programming exercises to strengthen the posterior chain. The posterior chain refers to the muscles on the backside of the body, including the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and erector spinae. Strengthening these muscles is crucial for improving athletic performance, reducing the risk of injury, and enhancing overall functionality.
O'Connell's Posterior Chain Programming
In a recent video on her YouTube channel, seven-time CrossFit Games athlete Kristi O'Connell shared her six go-to exercises for fortifying the glutes and hamstrings. Let's take a closer look at each exercise:
1. Banded Hip Extension
- Setup: Anchor a resistance band to a squat rack pole, step inside the band, and place it over the hip crease.
- Position: Drop to a tall kneeling position with knees slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Execution: Hinge at the hips, allowing the band to pull you back, then extend your hips forward by squeezing your glutes.
2. Bulgarian Split Squat
- Setup: Stand two to four feet away from a bench and place your rear foot on it.
- Position: Ensure a vertical shin on the front leg when you lower your body, keeping the front foot planted on the ground.
- Execution: Lower your hips toward the ground, focusing on moving back and down, then push through the front foot to return to the starting position.
3. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
- Setup: Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width, holding a dumbbell vertically between your legs with both hands.
- Position: Squat while keeping your chest up and back straight.
- Execution: Lower into the squat until your hamstrings and glutes are at least parallel to the floor, then return to the starting position, stopping short of full extension.
4. Deficit Lunge
- Setup: Stand on an elevated surface (about four inches high) with dumbbells at your sides.
- Execution: Step back into a lunge, lowering until the front thigh is parallel to the ground, then push through the front leg to return to the starting position.
5. Single Leg Romanian Deadlift (RDL)
- Version One (Staggered Stance):
- Setup: Place most of your weight on your front leg, with the back leg slightly behind for balance.
- Execution: Hinge at the hips, keeping a slight bend in the front knee, lower the weight toward the ground, then drive through the heel to return to the starting position.
- Version Two (Foot on Wall):
- Setup: Similar to Version One, but place your non-working foot against a wall for balance.
- Execution: Perform the hinge, focusing on stretching the hamstring of the working leg, squeeze the glute, and focus on shortening the hamstring to return to the starting position.
6. Traditional RDL
- Setup: Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbells in front of your thighs.
- Position: Start with a slight knee bend and maintain it throughout the exercise.
- Execution: Hinge at the hips to lower the weights, keeping a neutral spine, focus on achieving a deep hamstring stretch at the bottom before squeezing the glutes to return to the upright position.
Programming Approach
Kristi O'Connell incorporates these exercises into her training regimen by segmenting them into different categories:
Primers: These exercises, such as banded kickbacks, hip extensions, and hamstring curls, are used to activate and prime the muscles and develop a mind-muscle connection before a workout.
Primary Compound Movements: These exercises target multiple muscle groups and include heavy Bulgarian split squats or deficit lunges.
Accessory Work: This involves finishing the workout with high-volume, lighter-weight exercises to further fatigue the muscles beyond the primary movements.
By following this programming approach, O'Connell effectively strengthens her posterior chain, improving her athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, strengthening the glutes and hamstrings is essential for optimal lower body function and athletic performance. Kristi O'Connell's posterior chain programming, consisting of exercises like banded hip extensions, Bulgarian split squats, dumbbell sumo squats, deficit lunges, single-leg Romanian deadlifts, and traditional RDLs, provides an effective way to fortify these muscles. By incorporating these exercises into your training routine, you can enhance your overall functionality and reduce the risk of injury.
