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Bull-headed? (part 1 of 2)

© Matt Danielson

Alright, maybe the "head"-part isn't that great, but a bull NECK is pretty cool to have. Being even more visible than forearms, the neck is visible in practically all kinds of clothes. A thick, strong neck signals physical strength and determination, as compared to the classic sign of the geek - the infamous "pencil-neck". But it goes beyond cosmetics. A strong neck can ... Well, I almost made a bad pun about saving one's neck, but I think I'll restrain myself. I mean, why stick my neck out for no reason?

Seriously, ask any boxer about the importance of a strong neck. Powerful blows to the head, think "Mike Tyson", would probably KILL a pencil-neck at the spot. But even the most pacifistic guy in town can trip or have something fall onto him, causing the same kind of impact. And speaking for myself, I'm not a huge guy but thanks to my neck-training regime I avoided a nasty injury to my neck in a snowboard-accident a few years ago. If I hadn't been able to brace myself I very well might have suffered some kind of spinal injury. As it is now, I got away with a couple of days of headache. Who plans on doing these things? You don't - you're just damn happy that one time in your life when you save your neck. And it doesn't even have to be something as violent as an accident or a fight - hours in front of a computer with bad posture can put strain on the neck. Weak muscles can't protect the spine as well, and you might suffer a wide array of ailments. Not to say that a bull-neck would solve every problem that the average secretary has, but rather that some of them would at least be better off if they got their musculature up to par.

In conclusion, developing your neck makes you look stronger, healthier, and might protect you from trouble down the road. With this said, there's just a minor warning I'd like to issue before we go all Gung-Ho about the training: The neck is by nature a weak structure. We'll change that, of course, but when you start out, odds are you're much weaker than you think. Excess weights and intensity can be counterproductive, if not downright dangerous. Form is also vital. Don't solely rely on the descriptions found here, consult with a professional to get your form right. People with a history of neck-injuries should consult with their physician about whether they should take on neck-training at all.

The copyright of the article Bull-headed? (part 1 of 2) in Weight Training is owned by Matt Danielson. Permission to republish Bull-headed? (part 1 of 2) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.