The Slant Stack: A Complete Guide

When it comes to elevating your fitness game and building a stronger, more resilient lower body, few tools are as versatile and effective as the Slant Stack. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, incorporating the Slant Stack and Slantboard combo into your training can revolutionize the way you approach lower body strength, mobility, and injury prevention. This guide delves into the function of the Slant Stack, the different exercises you can do with it, their benefits, and the overarching philosophy of knees over toes style training to help you maximize the potential of these tools.

What Is The Slant Stack?

The Slant Stack is a thoughtfully designed set of durable, stackable wedges that allow you to create an elevated surface for performing various different exercises. The Stacks combine seamlessly with The Slantboard to create an elevated, inclined platform for targeted knees over toes style training. When paired with The Slantboard, the Slant Stack opens up a world of exercise possibilities. 

The Slant Stack is constructed with high quality materials that ensure stability and safety during exercises, making it a must have for anyone serious about improving their lower body performance and overall functional fitness

Key Exercises You Can Perform (Slant Stack + Slantboard Combo)

The Slant Stack is incredibly versatile, supporting a range of movements that target the quads, hamstrings, calves, and even the feet and ankles. Here are some staple exercises to incorporate into your routine:

ATG Split Squat

Purpose: Builds flexibility, unilateral strength, and stability in the hips, knees, and ankles.

Benefits: Improves knee health, strengthens the VMO(vastus medialis oblique), and enhances mobility in the hip flexors and quads.

Patrick Step U

Purpose: Targets the quads and strengthens the knees through an extended range of motion.

Benefits: Enhances quad development, strengthens knee tendons, improves patellar tracking and hip stability.

SlantBoard Squats

Purpose: Achieve larger range of motion through the knees along with greater forward knee travel.

Benefits: Emphasizes the quadriceps and strengthens the knee joints.

Tibialis Raises

Purpose: Strengthens the tibialis anterior to enhance ankle stability and reduce the risk of shin splints.

Benefits: Improves ankle strength and mobility while reducing the risk of lower leg injuries.

Calf Raise

Purpose: Builds and strengthens the calves and Achilles tendons.

Benefits: Builds calf strength, enhances ankle mobility, and supports athletic performance.

Jefferson Curl

Purpose: Improves spinal flexibility and hamstring mobility.

Benefits: Enhances posterior chain strength, flexibility, mobility, and resilience.

The Benefits of Using The Slant Stack

Incorporating The Slant Stack into your training offers a wide range of benefits that go beyond traditional exercises. Here are some key advantages:

Improved Knee Health

Knees over toes training focuses on strengthening the muscles and tendons around the knee joint, reducing the risk of injury and alleviating chronic pain. Exercises like the ATG split squat and Patrick step-up emphasize controlled movements that rebuild joint resilience

Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility

The adjustable height and incline provided by The Slant Stack + Slantboard combo helps deepen stretches and improve range of motion. Movements like the Jefferson curl and ATG Split Squat promote strength and mobility in the hip flexors, hamstrings, quads, and spine.

Targeted Muscle Development

By emphasizing specific joints and muscle groups, the Slant Stack allows you to address weak points. For instance, tibialis raises strengthen the often neglected anterior muscles on the front of the lower leg, while Patrick Step-ups focus on knee strength and stability.

Versatility and Progression

The stackable design of the Slant Stack means you can adjust the height of the stack to match your fitness level. This adaptability makes it a valuable tool for beginners and advanced athletes alike, allowing for progressive overload as you gain strength and mobility

Injury Prevention

Knees over toes training prioritizes eccentric loading, full range of motion, and controlled and progressive movements, which are key for injury prevention. Strengthening tendons and ligaments reduces the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other common issues.

Functional Fitness

The Slant Stack’s ability to replicate real world movements makes it ideal for functional fitness. Strengthening the lower body across a spectrum of challenging movements translates directly to improved athletic performance and daily activities.

The Philosophy of Knees Over Toes Training

Knees over toes training challenges traditional fitness norms by emphasizing the importance of moving the knees past the toes. This method focuses on developing strength and mobility in extended ranges of motion to improve performance and prevent injuries.

Core Principles of Knees Over Toes Training:

Full Range of Motion:  Encourages greater joint mobility and flexibility.

Eccentric Loading:  Builds tendon strength and durability.

Balance and Symmetry:  Targets imbalances to prevent compensatory movements.

Gradual Progression:  Emphasizes controlled, scalable exercises to accommodate all fitness levels.

By incorporating tools like the Slant Stack into knees over toes training, you can safely and effectively apply these principles to your workouts.

Conclusion

The Slant Stack is more than just a fitness tool; it’s a gateway to stronger knees, enhanced mobility, and greater overall athleticism. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to boost performance, or simply aiming to future proof your body, the Slant Stack is a versatile and effective addition to your routine.

By embracing the principles of knees over toes training and utilizing The Slant Stack’s full potential, you can build a stronger, more resilient foundation for all your fitness goals. Start incorporating these exercises today and experience the difference for yourself!