Turkish Get Up!

Not all mechanical load was created equal...

One of the best exercises for working the whole body in a super functional matter from top to bottom is the Turkish Get Up (TGU). Nothing challenges one's stability and strength quite like the TGU. This exercise begins with the trainee lying flat on the floor while holding a weight with one hand above their head and ends with the trainee standing erect with the same weight held over their head with one arm. This exercise, which has the unique ability to stress different stabilizing muscles from numerous unusual angles, makes it a fantastically functional exercise. It is useful in preparing athletes for producing more force from the various and unpredictable bodily positions that their sport may place them into. It can also help the average joe the next time they are lugging that heavy piece of furniture up those tight winding stairs, which we all know can put the body into some funky positions. The TGU is an exercise that will help build strength that is truly useful. 

Here's a video of Coach Franco performing a TGU with a 90lb barbell. Performing the exercise with a barbell, as opposed to the more traditional method of using a kettlebell or dumbell, adds even greater stress to stability.

Happy Training,
Chris Moran. CSCS.