Tip Skin the Cat for Better Mobility Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Training Tip Skin the Cat for Better Mobility Do this before you do overhead pressing exercises for better shoulder mobility Bonus It builds a strong core too by TJ Kuster October 19, 2018March 4, 2022 Tags Abs, It Hurts Fix It, Mobility, Shoulders, Tips, Training Heavy presses can place a tremendous amount of pressure on the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and lower back. To be able to successfully press overhead you need adequate shoulder mobility, as well as a strong core. One movement that will help you achieve both is the old-timey "skin the cat" exercise. This movement allows for a great shoulder stretch through a full range of motion, decompresses the spine, and serves as a great core strengthener. Try doing this exercise before your next pressing day to prepare your shoulders for heavy lifting. Note: Using rings or a TRX-style setup allows for more range of motion than using a bar. The rings let your shoulders move more naturally. Start from a dead hang position with your hands turned out. Keep your arms and legs straight and engage your lats and core as you flex your hips, bringing your thighs towards your chest. Continue bringing your feet all the way through past your arms so that you go upside down. Keep your core engaged as you lower your feet back towards the ground. Optional: Rotate the palms out for a greater stretch at the end of the movement. Once you've come to a dead stop, bring your thighs to your chest and lift your hips back towards the ceiling. Bring your feet through your arms so that you come back into a dead hang position with your palms turned out. Going over and back counts as one rep. Knees Bent Stretches Only Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Training Tip Use GVT to Build Muscle Fast Can you really gain 10 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks with German Volume Training? Many people have. Here's how to do it. Tips, Training Charles Poliquin July 19 Training Proper Back Position for Power One simple adjustment in your lower back position could allow you to start smashing personal records immediately. Powerlifting & Strength, Training Mark Rippetoe January 27 Training Up for a Quickie Christian serves up 3 innovative methods for taking your gains to new heights - one for biceps, one for arms in general, and a Bizarro World method that involves doing the opposite of everything you now do. Arms, Bodybuilding, Training Christian Thibaudeau March 24 Training Tip Specialization Cycles for Stubborn Muscles Past the newbie stage, it's tough to improve every muscle group or lift at the same time. Here are some simple rules for specialization programs. Bodybuilding, Tips, Training Charles Staley November 20