Turkish Getup Breakdown

 My wife showed me a Gym Jones training program she was pondering about attacking. On one of the days of the program the trainee is supposed to accomplish a tremendous amount of Turkish Getups. In my mind, I tried to calculate how many people who attempt this program can do one clean Turkish Getup, not to mention an hours worth. Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the challenging training programs Gym Jones offers to those who dare to "train extreme". Sounds find to me. As Mark Twight writes (paraphrased)... you made your bed now lie in it. My issue is more selfish and deals with me, and this info will probably help others.

 Turkish Getups are arguably one of the best full body exercise someone could do. However, like any other exercise out there, it requires a certain amount of stability and mobility around your joints. To me the prerequisite to do a full Turkish Getup (TGU) is a bit high. In my case, I lack the mobility required at certain points of the movement. I do up to the point my body is able to perform the TGU. As I heard Gray Cook say once (paraphrased) .... you need to qualify yourself with the exercises and components of exercises you choose. In this case, I can reach the kneeling position of the TGU without cheating or letting the arm holding the weight bend a bit. Also, TGU is all about proper alignment at the right time. So, I actually make a workout out of this technical skill. If TGU could be broken down to six positions. I will spend a set doing a certain amount of reps in each position. First few sets being as analytical about my posture as possible.