Strength In Context E70: Center of Mass: The Hidden Variable in Training
Jan 30, 2026
They explain center of mass as the gravity-focused point the nervous system manages. Listeners hear why a forward-shifted center causes tight hamstrings, low-back extension, and ugly squats. Practical movement tweaks like heel elevation, counterbalance, and load placement are explored. Single-leg control and trunk–pelvis steering get attention for fixing balance and movement trade-offs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Gasparilla Pirates Towed Their Car
- Brandon and Jorge recount Tampa's Gasparilla pirates and a towed car that ruined their exit.
- The story illustrates the hosts' casual rapport and sets a conversational tone before the topic.
Center Of Mass Drives Movement Strategy
- Center of mass is the theoretical point gravity acts through and the nervous system organizes movement around it.
- When COM shifts forward the body adopts compensations (tight hamstrings, low back extension) to avoid falling.
Tight Muscles Are Often A Symptom
- Local tightness (e.g., hamstrings) often signals a systemic nervous-system strategy, not isolated tissue failure.
- Jorge and Brandon compare these compensations to someone holding your shirt so you don't fall during a forward lean.