Of the 6 foundational movements, the carry is probably most directly related to your daily mission-essential tasks. A “farmers’s carry” is the same motion as carrying jerrycans, and a “front-rack carry” is the equivalent of lifting equipment onto a truck. The “fireman’s carry” involves loading your shoulders with the motion you make when you’re carrying your ruck or training for a casualty evacuation.
Outside of work, carrying exercises can be a great addition to your PT routine to train your core more functionally than traditional core exercises. By using proper carrying technique, you can help reduce your risk for shoulder and back pain and injury. When picking up items from the floor, don’t forget to use the correct deadlift technique!
Check out the videos below for proper techniques for the farmer’s carry, front-rack carry, and fireman’s carry.