Single Leg Deadlifts are a Love/Hate right?!
Single leg deadlifts are such a love but mostly hate relationship, am I right?
Single length strength is arguably one of the most important things to train for an aging human (which is all of us, you’re welcome!)
Single leg training comes in many forms:
- Single leg deadlift variations
- Split squats
- Lateral squats/lunges
More explosive options include:
- Ladders
- Skaters
- Hurdles
But the big question…what’s the point? Why is it so important to include single leg training?
The benefits include performance and imbalance improvement, but in solely going to speak from a longevity standpoint.
I’ll use the nursing home example…what are some of the reasons adults end up in the nursing home or assisted care facilities?
- Falls are the number one reason
- Deconditioned
- Inability to perform basic day to day needs
If you want to be able to catch yourself before you fall OR recover faster from a fall then you need to train unilateral movement, both strength AND explosive/agility exercises.
Strong muscles, strong bones and healthy joints WIN aging, it’s science and it’s proven over and over again.
Every time you climb the stairs…that’s an example of single leg movement
Getting in and out of the car? Single leg movement.
Getting in and out of the shower? Single leg movement.
If you don’t train to maintain those abilities then it is true that you lose it much faster.
Don’t take advantage of your youth. There’s always room for you here!