Never heard or seen a reverse hyper before? Chances are unless you are an advanced lifter and have frequented gyms such as Westside Barbell, Elitefts or some smaller private powerlifting gyms like Outlaw Strength then you have never heard of or seen one of these amazing machines.
Designed by Louie Simmons, Westside Barbell for back strengthening and rehabilitation this machine has become a part of a main staple in our training routine. 5 Years ago on our vacation as we like to do, we travelled to Columbus Ohio and visited Westside Barbell and Elitefts, two of the most famous gyms in that area and in and around the US.
2 years post back surgery we had the pleasure of training at Westside, of course I was new to lifting and was scared as hell and intimidated just to be there but they welcomed us with open arms and shared their knowledge with us. I was telling Louie about my recent back surgery, he immediately put me on the reverse hyper to show me how he designed it to help with back strengthening post surgery and how it will help strengthen your back. We were sold, we picked one up that day and as the saying goes from "Beverly Hills", we loaded up the Truck and moved it to Canada!
To this day I credit our reverse hyper as one of the best pieces of equipment in our gym. I have had no back issues or pain and have a super strong back with my max raw squat being 380 lb and my deadlift 440 lbs. For a lady in her 50's, or shall I say mid 50's with rods and bolts in my back that's pretty darn good most would say.
Widely utilized for physical therapy and back rehab exercises, the Reverse Hyper can also be used with light weights in everyday training to reduce lower back tightness and strengthen hamstrings, glutes, hips. It decompresses the spine without enacting any vertical compression on it, allowing for dynamic strength development in the concentric phase.
So what do I do with this machine?
Reverse Hypers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgTiN6k-n3g
Leg Raises (Who needs a commercial gym, we make it work)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWvM-pRkjm8
Seated Lat Pulls (This is amazing for the lat growth)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfsBL46bO0U
More Leg Raises
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN8hmb7h4rQ
Don't have a reverse hyper but you have a GHR, try Reverse hypers on your GHR, I did this when my shoulder was recovering with one arm. I was able to keep my back strong throughout the recovery process utilizing my GHR. The GHR deserves it's own article, if you don't have one you need to get one. Plus Elitefts has all their equipment on sale right now, no excuses get yourself one for Christmas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqJNg6CI0Y
Pull Throughs : This machine is amazing for pull throughs, you can load up the plates and really snap the hips forward.
Calf Raises: You can do straight legged calf raises or bent knee raises, lot of choices on the calf raises.
Would love to hear from you if there is anything else you do on yours?
#utilizetothemax #teamelitefts #driven #passiontrumpseverything
