What Happens When You Take a Seated Exercise and Add a Sumo Squat?
Balance, Glute Activation, and Proprioception All in One Movement
One of the things that makes GYROTONIC® training a nearly limitless exercise system are the creative variations. With few exceptions, every upper body exercise on the Pulley Tower is first done seated. The side seated side bend is a staple of the Handle Series. Now get up on your feet and add a sumo squat!
In personal training, a squat where you start in a wide stance and keep your body nearly vertical as you lower yourself is called a “sumo squat”. Performing squats this way sifts some of the muscular effort away from the quads and into the glutes. Any thing that increases activation of the glutes is a good thing. Since in sumo squats there is no hip hinge, or almost none depending on the person, stress is taken away from the low back.
How this can help you.
Adding the sumo squat to a side bend challenges your balance, as your upper body is shifting away from the gravitational center of your body, located in your pelvis. And considering how important our heads are to how we perceive the world and our physical place in it (think eyes & inner ears), the head coming off center and tilting challenges your ability to keep track of where all your body parts are relative to each other and to the handle, thus improving your proprioception. The better you know where you are in space, you’ll feel secure in athletics and in daily activities.
Ready to Challenge Your Balance with Dynamic Variations Like This?
This sumo squat side bend is just one example of the nearly limitless variations possible in Gyrotonic training. Want to discover how these creative exercises can challenge your balance, activate your glutes, and sharpen your proprioception? Book your free 30-minute demo and experience firsthand how we can design movements specifically for your body and your goals.