Despite being one of the most important parts of maintaining a pain-free quality of life, fear gets in the way of neck and posture training. Whether the fear of doing neck training alone, looking silly at the gym, or doing the exercises incorrectly, it stops us from completing our neck training. This can pose several problems since the neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of our bodies.
It is often unprotected and in danger of getting injured, which ultimately leads to neck pain. As a matter of fact, 20% of Americans experience neck pain, and if you’ve experienced neck pain before you know how uncomfortable and excruciating it can be. What’s worse is that 5% of people who suffer from neck pain end up becoming disabled as a result—now that’s something to be afraid of.
Well, you don’t have to fear neck pain any longer. This Halloween, we challenge you to face your fears. If you want to prevent or treat neck pain to avoid being permanently incapacitated and experiencing constant pain, neck training is a great way to scare away neck pain. We’ll go over all the reasons why you shouldn’t be scared of neck training, how you can use the Iron Neck during your neck training, and the proper way to do neck training exercises.
Why Neck Training Is Nothing To Fear
People are often intimidated or scared of the thought of doing neck training. But honestly, there’s nothing to be afraid of. As the saying goes, people fear what they don’t understand. This is why we’re here to help you learn more about neck training. By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident in your ability to start training your neck.
Neck training is simple really. It’s a series of exercises that are meant to strengthen and increase the range of motion of your neck. It’s completely safe and is highly recommended by coaches, chiropractors, and physical therapists. These exercises help build muscle that not only protects your neck but also your head and spine from future injuries.
A Few Noteworthy Benefits Of Neck Training
There are several instances where neck training can benefit us. Imagine you were to get hit in the head. The force of the impact needs to spread out from your head to your neck to lessen the impact. Your neck acts as a shock absorber for your head. If your neck isn’t strong enough to take the impact, you could end up with a concussion.
Another example would be a car crash. A stronger neck will be able to control the whipping motion of your head much better once it’s developed that layer of muscle. This can aid in preventing whiplash and the serious complications that come with it. Improving your neck strength will also benefit your posture. Posture is a huge problem nowadays thanks to technology. People are developing “forward neck syndrome” or “tech neck” where the front of their neck is really tight, but the muscles at the back of their neck are really weak.
Neck training can help reverse this issue, fix muscle imbalances in your neck, and promote good posture. Having good posture is known to relieve a plethora of musculoskeletal issues, it also helps you breathe better, gets rid of headaches, improves sleep, and reinforces proper movement patterns.
How To Use The Iron Neck Device
Now, we know the Iron Neck looks scary and—frankly—a bit silly at first glance. But several coaches and pro-athletes use the Iron Neck in their training regimens. If NFL athletes like Brandin Cooks and Latavius Murray use it, so should you. Unsure how to use it? We have tons of resources on how to use The Iron Neck, and it isn’t as complicated as you think it is. Most people setup their Iron Neck by connecting to a door or a squat rack, using a resistance band and anchor strap.
You then wear the Iron Neck on top of your head, adjusting it to fit comfortably by inflating the air inflation system, and proceed with some simple to follow movements. It's easy to set up and you can do it all by yourself. You can find more detailed step-by-step demonstrations of how to use the Iron Neck on our website and YouTube channel. Don’t be afraid to message or email us directly for any of your concerns too!
Scared to Use he Iron Neck Alone? Try Neck Training With A Professional
If you still think you can’t use the Iron Neck and do neck training on your own, it’s perfectly fine to get a professional to assist you. A lot of physical therapists and coaches are well-acquainted with Iron Neck and neck training, so if working with a professional will help you face your fears and be more comfortable doing neck training, we highly suggest going for it!
PTs are there to help you understand what your goals should be when it comes to neck training. They’ll help guide you on what exercises you should do to help reach those goals. Plus a lot of the exercises used in neck training with the Iron Neck are the same concepts physiotherapists use all the time. For the longest time, PTs would use medicine balls and resistance bands to assist with neck training. Although these are great tools and are proven to work, they’re more limited than the Iron Neck. Training will be much more effective and efficient with the help of the Iron Neck, ask any PT, they will agree.
Top 3 Exercises To Help Scare Away Neck Pain
This Halloween, the only thing you need to be scared about is neck pain and the debilitating effects that come with it. If you want to help get rid of this neck pain long-term, you can follow these three beginner exercises you can use with the Iron Neck to help you scare away neck pain.
360 Spin
The 360 spin is the first foundational exercise to master when beginning your Iron Neck training. Start by facing towards the anchor point with the resistance band directly parallel to the floor. With your body in a straight upright position take a few steps back to increase the tension in the band.
The tension must be enough to feel some resistance but not too much that your body is slanting towards the anchor point. Once you’ve positioned yourself the right distance from the anchor point, perform three controlled 360 degree spins clockwise and repeat going counterclockwise.
Look Left, Look Right
The following exercise is another great foundational exercise. With your body in an upright position, face the anchor point, and begin to look left and look right as you naturally would without moving your shoulders and with the Iron Neck parallel to the ground. Repeat this movement five times for both ways, and then five more facing the left side, backward, and right side of the anchor point.
Protraction and Retraction
This exercise starts by facing towards the anchor point with the same upright posture as before. This position engages your posterior chain through your neck and back which is crucial for proper posture.
Stick your head forward and pause for one second, then tuck your chin into your neck and pause one more time for another second. Repeat the protraction and retraction movement 8 times facing towards the anchor point. And another 8 times facing away from the anchor point.
It's Time To Face Your Fears & Scare Away Neck Pain For Good!
The key to performing all three of these exercises is to be controlled and confident with your movements. Continue doing these exercises regularly until you’ve finally gotten rid of your neck pain. Using the Iron Neck during neck training is one of the most effective ways to develop your neck strength.
It’s time to stop with the band-aids and short-term fixes - ignoring the root problem (your weak, immobile neck) won’t solve anything. If you’re ready to actively address the problem, correct your posture mechanics, fix muscle imbalances, and reinforce proper movement patterns, invest in the Iron Neck today! And, the best part about buying your Iron Neck today? You’ve got a head start on your next Halloween costume as Raiden from Mortal Kombat!