bridges for neck strength

jrstevens said:

any value from performing neck bridges to strengthen the neck muscles. mine tend to get tired towards the end of long rides.

JS

Nope. Bridges - also known as the wrestler's bridge - place the neck vertebrae in an unnatural position and then loads stress onto them from your bodyweight. It is the equivalent of hyperextending the lower back and then trying to work the lumbar muscles. Stay away. Miles and miles away.

Personally, I wouldn't use a neck strap either but that would be a much better option than doing bridges. This would not be a heavy weight exercise.

For some people, the pain will go away in time. For others, poor positioning on the bike or a tensed upper body will prolong the issue.

It helped me to stop trying to watch the horizon all the time while riding, and get used to looking out the upper half of my eyes while my head remains tilted down slightly. Also, keeping my elbows slightly bent helps pull my shoulders down and prevents hunching, which also keeps the neck muscles relaxed. Most of the torso weight should be supported by the hips and lower back, not the arms and shoulders.

Doctor Morbius said:

Nope. Bridges - also known as the wrestler's bridge - place the neck vertebrae in an unnatural position and then loads stress onto them from your bodyweight. It is the equivalent of hyperextending the lower back and then trying to work the lumbar muscles. Stay away. Miles and miles away.

Personally, I wouldn't use a neck strap either but that would be a much better option than doing bridges. This would not be a heavy weight exercise.

Doesn't the cervical curve place the head in a slightly tilted back fashion which would be similar albeit much less exaggerated than a bridge.

JS