Thread by @mythoughtfood

Our necks have a vital mission, move and protect the head.

The extension of your core bridges body and brain.

Train your neck as much as your abdominals and you’ll be more stable than ever.

This thread presents exercises to steady the weight of the world on your shoulders.

1/ Chin Tucks

You weaken your extensor muscles when you look down at a screen all day.

This exercise will balance the front and back of your neck to give you some much needed support.

2/ Neck Supports

A similar movement as the first except with more resistance.

You push your head into the exercise ball, which then tries to shove you right back.

You’ll feel power jolt through your upper back muscles after this one.

3/ Isometrics

No equipment necessary for these ones.

Push your head against your hand and resist for 10-60 seconds on each side.

I learned this one from a boxing coach.

4/ The Snatch

Many people’s necks have lost their shock absorption capacities nowadays.

This exercise is excellent to build a strong foundation for your neck.

You learn how to create momentum and absorb it over your head.

Start with the seated variation.

5/ Neck Harness

A great, low-cost tool to load your neck extensors with weight.

6/ @TheIronNeck

My favorite tool to train the neck by far, used by professional athletes ranging from fighting to football, hockey, and race car driving.

There’s nothing like The Iron Neck out there.

7/ Jaw Exercises and Massages

Your jaw and your neck muscles have a close connection.

You don’t want your head to recoil every time you chew a hard piece of food.

A weak/tight jaw will hinder the grounding work of your neck and cause an accumulation of excess tension.

8/ T3 Raises

Many people want to build thick upper traps, yet ignore the lower part of the muscle in their workouts.

Avoid. Weak lower traps limit your strength/size potential and put your shoulders and neck joints at risk.