Ready to Challenge Your Coordination? This One’s Got a Lot Going On
Perfect Cross Training for Surfers
This exercise, Helicopter, from the Upper Body Series, has alot to wrap your head around. There’s the 3×3 pattern that’s broken up by extension and flexion of the elbows. Then there’s the 4 part breathing pattern that lays on top of that. And that’s before we even put you on your feet.
This variation goes beyond standing into a shifting almost side lunge. On the strengthening side, this is great for you glutes and obviously your core. On the control side, the lateral motion of your body combined with the 3 part upper body movement helps you develop a higher level of coordination in a dynamic environment.
This is a “culmination” exercise, the final step in a movement ladder that starts with Simple Twist & Pull and has 4 additional exercises between the two. Every step on that ladder will build on the previous one, sequentially strengthening you and improving your everyday movements.
How does this benefit you?
Can you think of a sport where your body weight is shifting while you’re rotating? Surfing, of course. When surfing, you’re either regular foot or goofy, so you wouldn’t shift your weight to both feet. But that’s the point of cross training. You do a movement with similar but not identical dynamics. And you work bilaterally to maintain balance in your muscular strength, especially your core.
Perfect Your Wave Riding Balance
Whether you’re regular foot or goofy, this cross-training will give you better balance, stronger rotation control, and the bilateral core strength that makes all the difference when you’re out there riding waves.