New-School Sports Performance Education, Experience, Innovation
BRIDGE This versatile exercise targets stabilizing muscles in the posterior chain—back, glutes, and hamstrings. With proper cueing, Bridge can also be a core bracing exercise that targets all the muscles that wrap around the mid-section.
In previous articles I describe Best and Worst Lower Body Strength Exercises for Athletes and Best and Worst Upper Body Strength Exercises for Athletes. To set the groundwork and to build on the exercises explained and described in those articles, it is crucial to develop functional core strength—to coordinate movement and transfer power between upper and lower body.
The Core consists of muscles in the trunk of the body that work together to support the spine and initiate power for everyday tasks as well as athletic moves. Of those muscles, the deep muscles of the abdominals and low back are most significant for maintaining strength and stability. A functionally strong core is key to improved athletic performance, injury prevention, and day-to-day living.
SUPER HERO and HALF-AIRPLANE (from hands and knees or stability ball) I endorse Super Hero and Half-Airplane (from hands and knees or from a stability ball) as exercises to improve strength and endurance in the muscles that connect to and support the spine.
