How did a compromise on home decor lead to a successful faux taxidermy business. What challenges did Lindsay and Rick face in launching Near & Deer. How has their unique product line expanded beyond traditional hunting trophies.
The Origins of Near & Deer: A Creative Compromise
When Lindsay and Rick Baublitz began decorating their home together, they faced a unique challenge. Rick, an avid hunter, wanted to display traditional taxidermy trophies. Lindsay, a passionate animal lover, sought a more cruelty-free approach. This difference in taste sparked an innovative idea that would eventually blossom into a thriving business.
In a stroke of creative genius, Lindsay decided to surprise Rick with a fabric-covered resin deer head. This artificial trophy offered a compromise, allowing them to incorporate Rick’s hunting aesthetic without conflicting with Lindsay’s ethical concerns. To their mutual delight, Rick loved the creation and encouraged Lindsay to make more for sale.
The First Steps into Entrepreneurship
Emboldened by Rick’s enthusiasm, Lindsay crafted a second faux deer head and opened an Etsy shop called Near & Deer. The rapid sale of this piece within a week confirmed there was indeed a market for cruelty-free taxidermy. This initial success prompted Lindsay to invest in more supplies and expand her product line.
During that first year, Lindsay sold six pieces at $200 each, providing a modest but encouraging extra income. This early traction laid the foundation for what would become a full-fledged business venture.
Expanding the Product Line: From Deer to Dinosaurs
As Near & Deer gained momentum, Rick joined the creative process, painting resin heads in solid colors to offer a lower-priced option and increase sales volume. The couple didn’t stop at deer, however. They broadened their offerings to include a diverse array of faux animal heads:
- Moose
- Antelope
- Cow skulls
- Unicorns
- Dinosaurs
This expansion into fantastical creatures like unicorns and dinosaurs set Near & Deer apart from traditional taxidermy, appealing to a broader audience and tapping into the growing demand for unique home decor items.
The Rise of Custom Creations
As their business grew, Lindsay and Rick began receiving requests for custom pieces. While budget constraints sometimes limited what they could produce, these inquiries pushed the boundaries of their creativity. One memorable request involved a human skull with fangs and a unicorn horn—a testament to the imaginative possibilities of faux taxidermy.
From Etsy to E-commerce: Scaling the Business
After six months of success on Etsy, Lindsay and Rick took a significant step by launching their own e-commerce website. This move allowed them greater control over their brand and expanded their reach beyond the Etsy marketplace.
The decision to create their own online storefront proved pivotal. As demand for their products surged, the couple faced a crucial decision: How could they manage their growing business while maintaining their day jobs?
A Leap of Faith: Rick’s Career Change
Recognizing the potential of Near & Deer, Rick made the bold choice to leave his full-time job as an HVAC technician and dedicate himself entirely to the business. This decision allowed Lindsay to continue her career as a business appraiser while ensuring that one partner could focus on meeting the increasing demand for their products.
The gamble paid off spectacularly. In the year following Rick’s transition to full-time work on Near & Deer, they sold an impressive 1,200 pieces—a sixfold increase from their previous year’s sales.
The Keys to Near & Deer’s Success
Several factors contributed to the rapid growth and success of Near & Deer:
- Unique Product Offering: By creating cruelty-free alternatives to traditional taxidermy, they tapped into an underserved market.
- Diverse Product Range: Expanding beyond realistic animal replicas to include fantasy creatures broadened their appeal.
- Gradual Scaling: Starting as a side hustle allowed them to test the market and refine their products before making significant investments.
- Adaptability: The willingness to pivot from Etsy to their own e-commerce platform demonstrated their flexibility and business acumen.
- Division of Labor: Rick’s decision to work full-time on the business while Lindsay maintained her day job provided financial stability and focused attention on growth.
The Impact of Faux Taxidermy on Home Decor Trends
Near & Deer’s success reflects a broader shift in home decor preferences. As consumers become more conscious of ethical and environmental issues, the demand for cruelty-free alternatives to traditional decorative items has grown significantly.
Faux taxidermy offers several advantages over its traditional counterpart:
- Ethical appeal to animal lovers and conservationists
- Greater customization options in terms of colors and designs
- Durability and ease of maintenance compared to real taxidermy
- Ability to incorporate fantastical elements not possible with real animals
These factors have contributed to the rising popularity of faux taxidermy as a statement piece in modern interior design, appealing to a diverse range of aesthetics from rustic to whimsical.
Challenges and Lessons Learned in the Faux Taxidermy Business
While Near & Deer has experienced remarkable success, Lindsay and Rick faced several challenges along their entrepreneurial journey:
Balancing Production with Demand
As orders increased, the couple had to develop efficient production methods to keep up with demand without sacrificing quality. This involved streamlining their creative process and potentially outsourcing certain aspects of production.
Navigating E-commerce Platforms
The transition from Etsy to their own website required learning new skills in web design, online marketing, and customer service. Mastering these aspects was crucial for maintaining and growing their customer base.
Managing Inventory and Supply Chain
Ensuring a steady supply of materials while avoiding overstocking presented an ongoing challenge, particularly as they expanded their product line.
Adapting to Market Trends
Staying ahead of home decor trends and consumer preferences required constant innovation in designs and materials.
Lindsay credits much of their success to their gradual approach. Starting Near & Deer as a side hustle allowed them to test the market and refine their products without the pressure of immediate financial success. This strategy enabled them to make informed decisions about scaling their business and investing in growth.
The Future of Near & Deer and Faux Taxidermy
As Near & Deer continues to grow, Lindsay and Rick face exciting opportunities and potential challenges:
Expanding Product Lines
The success of their unicorn and dinosaur designs suggests a market for even more fantastical creations. Exploring collaborations with artists or licensing popular characters could open new avenues for growth.
Retail Partnerships
While their e-commerce platform has been successful, partnering with physical retailers could expand their reach to customers who prefer to see products in person before purchasing.
International Expansion
As their products gain popularity, exploring international markets could provide significant growth opportunities, though it would also introduce new logistical challenges.
Sustainability Initiatives
Given their eco-friendly beginnings, implementing more sustainable materials and production methods could further strengthen their brand appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
The story of Near & Deer demonstrates how a creative solution to a personal challenge can evolve into a successful business venture. By identifying a gap in the market and offering a unique, ethically-minded product, Lindsay and Rick have not only built a thriving company but also contributed to changing perceptions about home decor and animal conservation.
Their journey from a simple compromise to a bustling e-commerce business serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential of side hustles and the power of gradual, thoughtful scaling. As the demand for ethical and imaginative home decor continues to grow, Near & Deer is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the faux taxidermy trend, turning heads and transforming living spaces with their cruelty-free creations.
The Intersection of Craftsmanship and Technology in Faux Taxidermy
As Near & Deer continues to evolve, the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology presents exciting possibilities for the future of faux taxidermy:
3D Printing and Sculpting
Advancements in 3D printing technology could revolutionize the production of faux taxidermy bases, allowing for even more intricate and customized designs. This technology could enable Near & Deer to create highly detailed, one-of-a-kind pieces that push the boundaries of traditional taxidermy forms.
Augmented Reality (AR) Visualization
Implementing AR technology on their website could allow customers to visualize how a piece would look in their home before making a purchase. This feature could significantly enhance the online shopping experience and potentially increase sales conversion rates.
Smart Home Integration
As smart home technology becomes more prevalent, there may be opportunities to incorporate interactive elements into faux taxidermy pieces. Imagine a unicorn head that changes color based on the room’s ambiance or a dinosaur bust that roars when you enter the room!
These technological advancements could open up new markets and applications for faux taxidermy, potentially expanding its appeal beyond home decor into areas such as interactive museum exhibits, educational tools, or even therapeutic devices.
The Social Impact of Ethical Decor Choices
The success of Near & Deer raises important questions about the broader impact of consumer choices on animal welfare and conservation efforts:
Raising Awareness
By offering an attractive alternative to traditional taxidermy, Near & Deer and similar businesses play a role in raising awareness about animal conservation issues. Each faux taxidermy piece serves as a conversation starter, potentially inspiring discussions about ethical consumerism and wildlife protection.
Supporting Conservation Efforts
There may be opportunities for faux taxidermy businesses to partner with wildlife conservation organizations, donating a portion of profits or creating special edition pieces to support specific causes. This could further align the product with ethical consumers and contribute to tangible conservation efforts.
Changing Industry Standards
As demand for faux taxidermy grows, it could influence the broader home decor industry to consider more ethical and sustainable practices. This shift could extend beyond taxidermy to other animal-derived products used in interior design.
The story of Near & Deer illustrates how consumer preferences can drive positive change, encouraging businesses to innovate and offer more ethical alternatives to traditional products.
As Lindsay and Rick continue to navigate the evolving landscape of home decor and ethical consumerism, their journey serves as a compelling case study in how creativity, adaptability, and a strong ethical foundation can lead to business success. Their experience offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to turn their passions into profitable ventures while making a positive impact on the world.
The faux taxidermy trend sparked by businesses like Near & Deer represents more than just a shift in decorative preferences; it reflects a growing consciousness about the products we choose to surround ourselves with and their broader implications. As consumers increasingly seek out ethically-sourced and creatively designed home decor, the future looks bright for innovative companies willing to challenge traditional norms and offer thoughtful alternatives.
Faux Taxidermy Turns Heads on Home Decor
471
9 min 55 sec
A Pennsylvania couple turns a difference in home decorating taste into a bustling business, complete with mounted unicorn heads for your next remodel.
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What It’s About
This family-run faux taxidermy side hustle really turns heads!
Business Model
Product
Skills Required
Design & Trendspotting
Complexity
Medium
Profit Potential
High
Words of Wisdom
Lindsay credits their success to the fact that since this was a side hustle for them, they were able to take it slow. They were able to test the waters before they dove in and made huge investments that may not have paid off.
Fun Fact
We asked Lindsay if she had any memorable customized orders and she said that they once were asked to create a human skull with fangs and a unicorn horn.
Unfortunately, due to the client’s budget constraints, they did not create the piece.
Notes from Chris
Episode 471
When Lindsay and Rick Baublitz first started dating, there was a big difference between them that caused a few disagreements. Lindsay is an avid animal lover and PETA supporter, who would rather take a spider outside then step on it. Rick, on the other hand, is an avid animal hunter, who loves going deer, goose, and duck hunting.
They eventually worked through these minor issues and got married, but the topic reared its head again when Lindsay and Rick started looking for a house and talked about how they wanted to decorate. For some reason, the thought of having trophy animal heads peering down at her like they did at Rick’s family home did not appeal to Lindsay!
She had a crafty idea for getting around this—she decided to surprise Rick by decorating a resin deer head with fabric. In other words, an artificial, arts-and-crafts replica.
It was a completely cruelty-free way to bring his love of hunting into their home without hurting so much as a fly… let alone a deer. She was nervous about what he would think of the faux decor, but not only did he love it—he encouraged her to make more and sell them.
So Lindsay made a second fabric-covered faux deer head and created an Etsy shop called Near & Deer. She was so excited when it sold within a week, confirming that she wasn’t the only person in the world who liked artificial animals hanging over their mantle. She immediately bought more supplies to make another faux deer wall mount, and eventually expanded the line by adding different patterns and sold them for two hundred dollars each. That first year she sold six pieces and was excited to have a little extra income.
Soon Rick joined in on the faux taxidermy fun by painting the resin heads solid colors to sell a higher volume at a lower price point. They also introduced other faux animals into their line-up, including moose, antelope, cow skulls, unicorns and even a dinosaur or two to expand their home decor options… because one challenge of hanging traditional animal heads has been that hunters always have a hard time finding unicorns and dinosaurs.
After six months of selling on Etsy, Lindsay and Rick created their own e-commerce site. After business started to pick up, they made the decision that Rick would quit his full-time job as an HVAC technician to work on growing the business full-time. They so busy keeping up with demand that one of them needed to do it, and Lindsay liked her day job as a business appraiser. That year they sold twelve hundred pieces—six times as many as they sold the previous year.
And all this from trying to make a little cruelty-free compromise and not wanting to be stared at by a real deer head on the wall. You never know what kind of ideas can lead to life-changing side and main hustles. For Lindsay and Rick, they really are turning unicorn heads and selling them worldwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Near & Deer: Turn heads with Lindsay and Rick’s faux taxidermy creations—get a dinosaur bust of your own on their website!
- Etsy | Near & Deer: The Etsy page that Lindsay and Rick started with before creating their own website
SEE ALSO:
- Canadian Mom Spells Out Success with Letter Board Loot: After a search for customizable letter boards leaves her empty-handed, a Side Hustle School listener sees the writing on the wall
- High School Student Earns $20,000 Making Wooden Bow Ties: When a young woodworker receives a wooden bow tie as a gift, he’s unimpressed.
After making his own, he earns $20,000 while going to high school full-time - Carpenter Pays His Mortgage Selling Embroidered Travel Patches: Tired of look-alike flag patches, this carpenter and frequent traveler creates his own designs based on a modern style with a nod toward 1920s luxury travel
After making his own, he earns $20,000 while going to high school full-time
Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!
Yours in the revolution,
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“I suffer from exploding head syndrome”
- Helen Thomson
- BBC Future
x.
Image copyright Thinkstock
It’s strange, unpleasant, and surprisingly common. Correspondent
BBC Future spoke to a man whose head regularly “explodes” and found out how this condition can explain some unusual cases – maybe even alien abductions.
“Suddenly there is a noise that grows and gets louder, then there is a booming unpleasant sound of an explosion, then some kind of electrical hiss and a bright flash of light in front of my eyes, as if someone had directed a bright beam of a lantern directly into my face.”
This is exactly how Niels Nielsen talks about what it is like for a person living with “exploding head syndrome”, an unpleasant and sometimes terrifying sensation.
Other people describe it as a bomb going off next to their head when they fall asleep. For some, this happens once in a lifetime, for others, “explosions” thunder many times during one night.
(Similar articles in the Journal section)
The American physician Silas Weir Mitchell first described the disease in 1876, when he examined the symptoms of two men suffering from what he called “sensory discharges.”
Patients themselves have reported hearing “loud bells” or “gunshots” that wake them up at night.
Despite the provocative and intriguing name, researchers have paid relatively little attention to this disease.
However, there is now a theory that this disease and its accompanying sleep disorder can explain cultural phenomena that have no obvious connection with it – in particular, where stories of alien abductions, government conspiracy theories and stories about demons come from.
So what do we know about this nocturnal experience?
To begin with, this is not as rare an occurrence as you might think.
In a study published in March, 211 college students were asked if they had ever experienced the condition.
18% answered in the affirmative. Perhaps this example does not reflect the true extent of the disorder, since it is common for students to experience lack of sleep.
This factor is known to increase the risk of exposure to the syndrome described here.
Image copyright Thinkstock
Image caption
This syndrome is not as rare as one might think
On a long-haul flight, you could very well experience this condition for yourself,” says Bill Sharpless, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Washington who led the study.
“Stress and emotional tension also affect the frequency of such cases.”
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The hypotheses about the causes of exploding head syndrome are pretty speculative, Sharpless says.
Several explanations have been suggested, including ear problems and partial epileptic seizures.
The most convincing theory comes from a number of studies in which people with this symptom were observed overnight.
According to these studies, it can be assumed that a surge of neural activity occurs in the brain, which coincides in time with the described explosion.
Usually when we fall asleep, our body turns off, sleep paralysis sets in, we do not act in sleep.
During this wake-to-sleep transition, our brain shuts down gradually, Sharpless says.
However, when exploding head syndrome occurs, a kind of “hiccup” occurs in the recticular or reticular formation of the brain, which, in particular, controls the state of sleep and wakefulness, which leads to a delay in the shutdown of some departments.
Image copyright, Thinkstock
Image caption,
Sleep paralysis may explain some alien stories areas of the brain that are responsible for sound processing.
“We think neurons suddenly fire all at once,” Sharpless says. Which leads to a sensation of an explosion in the head.
“This theory seems convincing to me,” says Nielsen. “There is some kind of electrical nature to this phenomenon. The sensation of an explosion is accompanied by a loud sound in both ears, as if you had closed two wires in an electric circuit and felt an electric shock.”
According to Sharpless, some people experience a kind of electric shock from the lower torso to the head immediately after the “explosion”.
“The sensation is the same as an electric shock,” Nielsen says. “You feel the current running through you.”
Although there is no one-size-fits-all remedy, antidepressants reduce the incidence of the syndrome. Relaxation and stress relief exercises also help.
“A person can be greatly helped simply by convincing him that no one thinks he is crazy, and that he does not have a tumor or other disorders in the brain,” says Sharpless.
But wait, what does this have to do with alien abductions and supernatural beings?
Exploding head syndrome is often associated with sleep paralysis. Those who experience the first often experience the second.
Sleep paralysis is another creepy-feeling sleep disorder during which the person feels awake but cannot move. Sharpless believes that these two phenomena could explain some of the seemingly supernatural events.
Both sleep paralysis and exploding head syndrome seem to be related to a common underlying problem, which is the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
In sleep paralysis, part of the brain is in a state of REM sleep, i. in the phase when we see the most dreams, while other parts of consciousness are already awake.
“So your body is paralyzed and in REM sleep, but you are conscious,” says Sharpless. everything that happens to you is a hallucination.”
Photo copyright, Henri Fuseli Wikipedia
Photo caption,
In 1781, the artist Henry Fuseli depicted in his painting a demon sitting on the chest of a sleeping woman
Consider the case of Haruko Matsuda (not her real name), a Japanese woman who often experiences state of sleep paralysis.
Here is how she described her typical night to Bill Sharpless: “I felt something push my chest and opened my eyes. she said. “I thought it was a ghost or something like that. It screamed: “I will kill you!” I could not move, and I was very scared … “
In the Middle Ages, the symptoms that Matsuda manifests could well be associated with demons in male or female form (incubi and succubus), which sit on people’s chests and incline them to intercourse.
In later times, people who were frozen or blinded by bright lights in the dead of night could associate such states of theirs with alien abductions.
Turn to these supernatural or alien stories, Sharpless says, and you’ll find signs of both sleep paralysis and exploding head syndrome.
“People who experience these strange explosions in their heads can easily think that something has been implanted in their brains. And when they feel an electrical discharge, they may well think that they were shot from some new energy weapon. They cannot move, but they hear and see amazing things, so they think that they have been kidnapped.
Niels Nielsen, who is now a psychiatrist, says he has experienced exploding head syndrome every few months since he was 10 years old.
Twice he experienced sleep paralysis. However, the scientific turn of his mind did not allow him to succumb to anxiety in connection with these experiences.
“I always used to approach things like this from a scientific point of view. So even as a teenager, I explained it to myself like this: oh, something electrical happened in my brain, and did not attach much importance to it,” he says – These things did not bother me at all, but if someone is inclined to believe in the paranormal, I can easily imagine how such people explain such things from the standpoint of the supernatural.
Read
the original of this article in English is available on the website
BBC Future .
Leg press in the simulator: technique, disadvantages and types of bench press
Leg press in the simulator is one of the most popular strength exercises for working out the muscles of the lower extremities. In this article, we will tell you how to perform it correctly, how to redistribute the load on specific muscles by changing the setting of the feet, and what mistakes beginners and experienced athletes make.
CONTENTS
What is it
The platform press is a basic exercise that allows you to work your leg muscles with minimal stress on your lower back.
The prototypes of the leg press machine are the platform of Sigmund Klein, located at an angle of 45 degrees and attached to the wall with chains, and the box of George Jowett, lowered on chains and located parallel to the floor.
Main muscles involved
During the exercise, the hamstrings, buttocks, inner thighs work, but depending on the position of the legs, you can shift the load to one or another area, for example, to the lateral or inner part of the quadriceps. We will talk a little further about which muscles work more actively in the bench press with different positions of the feet on the platform.
Technique
Let’s analyze the classic technique for pumping leg muscles in an inclined simulator.
- Lie down on a bench. The back should be pressed against the back of the seat, the back of the head – against the headrest.
- Place your feet on the platform. The way the legs are positioned depends on which areas of the muscles you plan to work out.
- Depress the platform by pushing it up and lower the holding arms. Do not straighten your knees completely: on the one hand, this can be traumatic, on the other hand, the load on the quadriceps will be reduced.
- During hip flexion, try to lower the platform as close to your chest as possible, but without tearing your back and pelvis off the back. Also make sure that when lowering the platform, the knees do not bend at an acute angle.
Benefits
The leg press provides the study of quadriceps, includes the gluteal muscles and biceps of the thigh, creates conditions for the growth of strength and volume. Since the trajectory of the movement of the platform is set by the limiters, it does not require a long development of the technique, and due to the lack of axial load, this exercise is safer than squats with weight.
By changing only the position and width of the legs, you can shift the emphasis of the load.
Defects
The main disadvantages of the bench press in the simulator are the high risk of injury if the technique is incorrect and the minimal involvement of the core muscles, in contrast to the classic barbell squats.
Types of trainers
- Inclined (at an angle). This is the most popular leg machine available in all fitness clubs. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as a vertical bench press, when in fact the platform is at a 45 degree angle. Due to the inclined position of the platform, it is possible to work with a large weight and a good range of motion.
- Horizontal. The platform is horizontal, the athlete is sitting (the machine seat is at an angle of 90 degrees). Due to this design, the amplitude increases, but the maximum working weight that can be squeezed out with your feet decreases.
- Vertical. In this machine, the exercise is performed lying down, the legs are lifted vertically upwards. Due to the design features of the equipment, it is necessary to control the even distribution of weight over the entire area of the platform.
In this machine, the exercise is performed lying down, the legs are lifted vertically upwards. Due to the design features of the equipment, it is necessary to control the even distribution of weight over the entire area of the platform.5 exercises
Horizontal Press
This leg press involves the use of a specialized simulator (the athlete is sitting, the back is perpendicular to the floor). Press the back and pelvis against the back, ensure the neutral position of the spine. Control that the knees are directed towards the feet or outward.
Vertical press
Vertical leg press is performed on specialized equipment (the bench is parallel to the floor). Lie flat with your shoulder blades and pelvis pressed in, rest your feet on the platform located above the pelvis, do not tear off your fingers and heels. You should not use a variation of setting the feet closer to the upper edge, as the load on the back increases.
We also do not recommend using the Smith machine for the vertical press, because due to the lack of handles for fixing the weight and the small area of \u200b\u200bsupport, there is a high risk of injury.
Incline Press
In the classic version of this leg press exercise, the position of the feet can be any, depending on which muscles you want to give a greater load. Lower the platform as you inhale, squeeze as you exhale. The correct body position is shown in the video.
Glute Press
To perform this leg press, place your feet close to the top edge with your feet slightly narrower than shoulder width apart. See the video for the execution technique and the correct positioning of the feet to work out the buttocks.
Single Leg Press
Squeeze the platform not with both legs, but separately with each leg if you want to ensure the same strength in both limbs. Do not forget to first reduce the usual weight. The foot should be located approximately opposite the shoulder, it is not necessary to shift it to the center.
How the load shifts when changing the position of the feet
What is the preferred leg press position? Depends on which areas you want to hit harder.
- Classic stance (feet shoulder-width apart) – all thigh muscles are involved evenly.
- The feet are close to each other – the outer (lateral) part of the quadriceps is actively involved.
- A wide setting provides an accentuated study of the inner part of the quadriceps and adductor thigh muscles.
- Feet closer to the top of the platform engage the back of the thigh and buttocks.
- A low setting pumps the quadriceps femoris well.
Contraindications
The platform leg press is not recommended for people with knee and ligament injuries. Varicose veins, scoliosis, hernias and protrusions are not absolute contraindications to exercise, but it is better to consult your doctor.
Alternatives
The bench press in the simulator can be replaced with other exercises that also work out the legs well: barbell squats, lunges, leg extensions in the simulator, squats in the hack simulator.
Recommendations and basic errors
- It is recommended to perform the exercise without fully extending the legs to avoid loss of muscle tension and injury to the knees.
- When performing a leg press exercise in the simulator, it is important to ensure a safe position for the spine. When the head is pressed against the back of the simulator, a natural lumbar deflection (lordosis) is formed, which should be controlled due to the tension of the abdominal muscles. Due to this deflection during the exercise, pressure increases on the lower back, in particular on the intervertebral discs. When the head is torn off, the bend is automatically eliminated. You can press your head or tear it off, the main thing is not to bend in the lumbar region.
- Control your knees. Press the platform without knees falling inward, they should be directed forward or outward.
- Do not turn your head from side to side, keep it straight on the headrest, otherwise you may feel discomfort in the neck.
- Do not tear off your heels and do not hang them, the support should be on the entire foot (if the bench press in the simulator is not performed to work out the calf muscles).
