Posts Tagged ‘athletic’

New Core Training Exercise – Bridging Tornado Ball

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

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This video demonstrates a tornado ball rotation while bridging on a swiss ball. Dynamic stabilization of the entire torso; the abdominals AND posterior chain. The lifter has to bridge and remain parallel to the floor throughout the movement and remain fixed while the tornado ball is rotating.

If you do not have a tornado ball, a med ball in a sandbag/dufflebag/pillow case can be used.

The great thing about this exercise is that the lifter is isometrically contracting the anterior and posterior chains against a dynamic, ever changing tension.  This increases the frequency AND intensity of the motor unit recruitment which is exponentially more beneficial than a static, long duration contraction.  Not only that, there is also a deceleration and acceleration component to the lift as well.

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Think interval training rather than slow, low intensity treadmill.

Also, this version is easier on the shoulders than the standard swinging overhead version of the tornado ball.

Oh yeah, the video is a LITTLE FOGGY :) .  We were in the middle of a conditioning circuit and the camera guy was heated!

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No More Knee Pain, Hit Your Squat Depth, Improve Hip Mobility, Activate Glutes

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

AB(Duction) Band Squats


Benefits:
No More Knee Pain
Hit Your Squat Depth
Improve Hip Mobility
Activates Glutes
Activates / Strengthens Hip Abductors
Improves Patella Tracking

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In-Season Conditioning Circuits

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

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Here is footage from a few different conditioning days for Mike who is in-season right now.  He is getting ready for sectionals.What you’ll see in this video are movements that target:

Grip Strength
Shoulder Mobility
Leg Strength
Shoulder Strength and Strength Mobility
Rhomboid/Trap Activation
Knee Strength / Stability
Ankle Mobility
Power, Strength and Muscular Endurance
Rotational Core Strength

Circuit Progressions (not done on the same day)
Here are some examples of some in-season conditioning circuits for muscular, strength and power endurance.

First Circuit: (not shown)
Power Rope Double Slams, Alternating, Throws, Zig-Zags
DB Swings
Repeat 3x

Second Circuit: (not shown)
Pull-ups
Band Pull Aparts

Third Circuit:
Landmines
Band Pull Aparts
One-Leg Squats

Fourth Circuit:
KB Clean / Squat / Press
Mace
Knee Ups

Fifth Circuit:
Rope Climbs
Hindu Push-ups

Sixth Circuit:
Prowler Challenge (last run)


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Heavy Squat Day

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

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Here is footage of Brad and Eli squatting.

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Core Strength – What are the Top 5 exercises?

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

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Here is a recent post directed to me on the Elite Q/A:

Jim what are your 5 favorite standing abdominal movements?

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Cory,

In no particular order, here are some of the top abdominal exercises.

- zercher squat, bracing the torso, under tension, while engaging movements of the lower body

- explosive med ball rotational throws, no deceleration

- core statics – lateral shuffles with agitation and breathing regulation, anti-rotation

- pull-ups – upper back muscular is an essential component of core strength

- deadlifts – full body movement requiring bracing (rigidity) and is essential for developing posterior chain, the other half of the core

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Why are pull-ups and essential part of core strength?  What is torso rigidity?  How do you perform zercher squats correctly?  Check out Combat Core!