Keeping your balance is important for any athlete, and there are plenty of exercises to improve your balance. These can range from static balance exercises to dynamic balance exercises. You can challenge your body with these exercises, too. The Side plank, for instance, challenges your balance and core. It also increases strength.
Static balance exercises
Balance exercises are a crucial part of physical training. They help you control your center of mass while remaining in a stable position, whether you’re walking, running, or jumping. Performing these exercises can reduce injuries and improve the quality of your movements. And they don’t require any special equipment.
Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, you’ll need to improve your balance to excel in athletics. Balance training has been associated with improvements in sports performance and the prevention of injury. However, there’s some controversy surrounding the effect of balance training on athletic performance.
Lunge exercise
The runner’s lunge exercise is an excellent strength and conditioning exercise that enhances balance, hip mobility, and lower-body functionality. It focuses on developing strength in the backs of the legs. Athletes need a well-balanced lower body to function optimally in a sport.
There are several variations of the lunge exercise. The traditional lunge involves feet placed hip-width apart. The measured leg is then stepped forward into a stride stance. The leg is then flexed to 45 degrees, then returned to full extension. In addition, the measured leg remains in a neutral alignment over the second metatarsal throughout the exercise. For a more advanced athlete, the lunge exercise is advanced, with more difficult variations.
Side plank challenge balance
Side plank challenge exercises improve balance for athletes by focusing on the abdominal muscles. These exercises involve engaging the core, shoulders, and glutes while maintaining a neutral spine. Hold the position for 10 to 120 seconds. You can alternate sides, and you can even do both sides at the same time. To begin, sit on the floor with your legs extended out in front. Your palms should be facing your feet, and your elbows should be slightly apart.
This exercise is also beneficial for people with poor balance. A side plank can be performed on your knees instead of your feet, which improves your balance.
Whether you’re holding on with your knees or arms, the end result should be a stable, yet challenging pose. The aim is to hold this position for at least 20 seconds while keeping your head and neck parallel.
Side plank strengthens core
A side plank is an exercise designed to strengthen the core for athletes. Start by lying on the floor with your feet elevated. Next, engage your abdominal muscles and hold your side plank position for at least 10 seconds. Once you can hold this position, you can increase the difficulty by adding a dumbbell or other weight.
One variation of this exercise involves placing a stability ball on the inner side of your calves. Be sure not to let the stability ball interfere with your balance. Another variation involves lifting your lower leg off the floor and maintaining contact with the foot of the upper leg with your hand or elbow.
Side plank targets quadriceps
The Side Plank is a great exercise to strengthen your quadriceps, gluteus medius, and obliques. In addition, it can improve your balance and agility. However, there are some common mistakes that can decrease its effectiveness. Here are some tips to improve your side plank.
To begin with, make sure you have proper form. This exercise can cause joint injury if performed incorrectly. Keep your spine straight, hips aligned, and your head relaxed while performing the exercise.
