And the related yoga pose whose name escapes me. Opinions vary widely. Some claim it's one of the very best exercises for core strength and flexibility. Others say it's not worth the risk.

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Posted by SabiDojo

Open to any suggestions.

Member since Nov 2010

83929 posts

Posted on 3/15/18 at 6:42 am to Jim Rockford

The risk of what? Injury? The back bridge? Nah. The neck bridge? Yeah if you're not ready for it, but that's with everything we do.

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Posted by Jim Rockford

Member since May 2011

98179 posts

Posted on 3/15/18 at 9:42 am to SabiDojo

I was thinking more in terms of chronic than acute. The criticisms are twofold: It puts a lot of pressure on the cervical discs, and it thickens the vertebrae. Stronger bones are nearly always a good thing, but in this case it can narrow the channels through which the nerves run, causing impingement.

The examples usually cited are people like Mike Tyson, who was famous for using bridges in his training, and later had to have a cervical fusion. OTOH the overwhelming majority of people with neck and spine problems have never done a bridge in their lives.

They're fun and challenging, I'm just trying to determine exactly how risky they are and whether they're worth doing.

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Posted by Rep520

Member since Mar 2018

10413 posts

Posted on 3/15/18 at 10:04 am to Jim Rockford

I have a minor disc issue from HS football, so I do neck exercises to keep it healthy and stave off surgery, hopefully forever.

I've done neck bridges,but unless you're a wrestler who needs specific practice, banded neck work has been better and safer for me. Bridges, if you mess up, you shift a lot of weight in a precarious position. Bands, you can keep more natural positions and a predictable amount of resistance.

For neck, there are better options than bridges unless you're Mike Tyson.

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