Meek Mill's Questionable Lifting Technique Has Fans Worried About His Back

Footage of rapper Meek Mill's workout was recently shared on Twitter via the Hot Freestyle account, and it has been garnering attention for all the wrong reasons.

In the clip, Mill can be seen performing the javelin press, an old-school strongman exercise which involves lifting a bar overhead with one arm. When performed correctly, ideally in a slow and controlled manner while in a half-kneeling position, this move targets the core as well as the shoulder. It's a good option for when you want to work with a lighter weight, and requires strength in the wrist and grip to control the bar due to the instability and inherently asymmetrical nature of the move.

"You have long leverage on either side of your hand, and because of that, you have to be that much pickier with wrist positioning, and you're going to have to work to keep this parallel to the ground," says Men's Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel C.S.C.S. "Your goal as you press up and do these reps is to keep it parallel to the ground the entire time."

Mill, however, is shown doing a standing version of the exercise with a heavy loaded barbell in the video, and his technique provoked commentary online, with many fans concerned about the potential risks to his back.

"Spinal cord is about to have some Expensive Pain," commented one Twitter user, referring to Mill's song of the same name.

"Personally it’s not the weight that’s cringe, it’s the form," wrote another commenter, "and whoever is training him should be scolded.. One of the the goals in introducing free weights is to have the clients lift with controlled movements and proper form w/out causing injury to themselves."

Others were less concerned, per se, and more interested in cultivating memes from Mill's technique.

This isn't the first time Mill has made the internet wince in secondhand pain. Back in the winter of 2017, while still reeling from his split from fellow rapper Nicki Minaj, the hip hop star had insult added to injury when he slipped and fell down the icy stairs of a front porch, for all of the internet to see.

You Might Also Like

• The 23 Best Foods to Build Muscle

• 10 of the Best Waterproof Boots to Buy in 2019

• 6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health