What do you guys do to work out your neck muscles
02-20-2009, 09:44 AM
#16
Drifting
Do a google search for neck strengthening and flexibility exercises. There's a lot more involved than just training your neck. It involves your shoulders and upper back muscles as well.
I did hear that archery with VR's friend can help build your pec's.....
I did hear that archery with VR's friend can help build your pec's.....
02-20-2009, 01:18 PM
#18
King of Cool
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I've heard real pros (Raikkonen, Herman etc.) using "hands free beer" successfully. I've tried it and it works exceptionally well.
Look at Kimi's neck on the photo below, and his drinking habits, well, you all know that too well...
(although he's been completely sober for weeks!)
Look at Kimi's neck on the photo below, and his drinking habits, well, you all know that too well...
(although he's been completely sober for weeks!)
02-20-2009, 03:33 PM
#21
Addict
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02-20-2009, 07:06 PM
#22
Track Day
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Hey guys,
This is right up my ally! I am a Physical Therapist in private practice and I see neck and back problems all day long. After a day of racing, and moreso three days of racing, yep my neck is sore also. As one gets older, active strengthening with the weights as shown with weight on the helmet may not be comfortable on the cervical spine itself,and may actually contribute to cervical spine arthritis (aka wear and tear of the joint surfaces). If this is uncomfortable, don't do it in favor of more isometric contractions even against your hands in a neutral position. If no cervical spine pain at all, go for it with the weights. If you wish to pursue the cervical isometrics, sit or stand in the position your neck is in in your car and use your hands to resist each motion of flexion, extension, sidebending to each side, and rotation to each direction. Resist as hard as you like and hold for 10 seconds. Try 3 sets of 10 each direction and see if you can tell a difference. This will be much safer on your joints. The I bolt in the helmet is a good one but I would recommend high resistance rubber bands the we call "Theraband" instead of weight again because it is gentler than weights and easier on the joints. You can get the band or tubing similar to it and somewhat more durable at any Physical Therapy clinic in your area. While working on your neck, don't forget the upper back musculature and your shoulders! The other gentleman was right that there is alot working together! Shoulder rolls with separate dumbells in each hand works great as well as the upright row. The most important exercises for upper back strengthening that really helps the neck and shoudlers (as wellas the lumbar spine) is seated rows and lat pulldowns. My shoulders get sore from turning the wheel for long periods as in enduros and in DE's from holding onto the door(in student's cars), so I spend alot of time working on internal and external rotation strengthening for my shoulders. Hope that is helpful and please choose the exercises that are most comfortable for you. Great idea to strengthen ahead of time. Other relaxation exercises are helpful as well as stretching. Happy and Safe Driving, but have fun.....
Kathy Patton, PT
Physical Therapy Specialites
Alpharetta, GA
This is right up my ally! I am a Physical Therapist in private practice and I see neck and back problems all day long. After a day of racing, and moreso three days of racing, yep my neck is sore also. As one gets older, active strengthening with the weights as shown with weight on the helmet may not be comfortable on the cervical spine itself,and may actually contribute to cervical spine arthritis (aka wear and tear of the joint surfaces). If this is uncomfortable, don't do it in favor of more isometric contractions even against your hands in a neutral position. If no cervical spine pain at all, go for it with the weights. If you wish to pursue the cervical isometrics, sit or stand in the position your neck is in in your car and use your hands to resist each motion of flexion, extension, sidebending to each side, and rotation to each direction. Resist as hard as you like and hold for 10 seconds. Try 3 sets of 10 each direction and see if you can tell a difference. This will be much safer on your joints. The I bolt in the helmet is a good one but I would recommend high resistance rubber bands the we call "Theraband" instead of weight again because it is gentler than weights and easier on the joints. You can get the band or tubing similar to it and somewhat more durable at any Physical Therapy clinic in your area. While working on your neck, don't forget the upper back musculature and your shoulders! The other gentleman was right that there is alot working together! Shoulder rolls with separate dumbells in each hand works great as well as the upright row. The most important exercises for upper back strengthening that really helps the neck and shoudlers (as wellas the lumbar spine) is seated rows and lat pulldowns. My shoulders get sore from turning the wheel for long periods as in enduros and in DE's from holding onto the door(in student's cars), so I spend alot of time working on internal and external rotation strengthening for my shoulders. Hope that is helpful and please choose the exercises that are most comfortable for you. Great idea to strengthen ahead of time. Other relaxation exercises are helpful as well as stretching. Happy and Safe Driving, but have fun.....
Kathy Patton, PT
Physical Therapy Specialites
Alpharetta, GA
02-20-2009, 07:15 PM
#24
Three Wheelin'
