Over the past week, I've received e-mails from two different weightlifting writers I follow regarding how long Americans sit and the issues with our hips and backs this causes. One had recently traveled to China, and was amazed how many people still squat all the way down ("glutemous maximus" to ankles!) while eating, chatting, waiting for the bus/train, or just to relax.
Relax.
Yes they are still flexible enough to fully flex both their knees and hips and relax for long periods of time all the way down. Compare this to most Americans, myself included. We sit with our hips and knees bent at 90 degrees or less for countless hours a day-8 hours or so at work, 1-2 hours commuting, then more hours at home either watching TV or using the computer. How often do we get up, walk around, stretch and squat down?
Both the writers then pointed out the growth in back injections, narcotic pain medicine prescriptions and back surgeries. How much of this is caused by our lifestyle, not true injuries? How much unnecessary expense and damage to our bodies are caused simply because we don't use our joints the way God designed them to operate bio-mechanically?
If you read Wally's first guest post, he made a great point about staying healthy to both use his body the way God intended it to work (by lifting heavy things then putting them down) and also to be able to fulfill his calling. We should aspire to do the same.
One thing to add to your workout if you don't do it already are deep-at least below parallel-squats. Even without weights these are great for you in many ways. First, it will counter-act the high amount of sitting most Americans do. It also utilizes most the major muscle groups, which is great for overall fitness and health. Additionally, you will become more flexible over time, have better balance and confidence in the utility of your body.
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