ABOUT STABILIZATION AND CORE TRAINING

Core is your body's foundation for all movement. The core consists of your abdominals, erector spinae (spine), chest, back, shoulders, and glutes. Every aspect of movement involves these muscles working with or against each other. The push up is a prime example of core. Try it! Put yourself in a push up position and focus on the muscles listed above. Hold this position and be sure to keep your abs tight the whole time. Perform the push up at a slow tempo down with a slight pause before you push up. Do not worry about how many push ups you can do but how many good ones you can do. If holding this position is difficult, try starting out with your knees on the floor.

Balance exercises focus on the smaller muscles that support joint function. The muscles that surround your ankles, knees, hips, elbows and shoulders are more susceptible to injury. If we can train these muscles in a therapeutic way...in a sense pre-hab the injury sites...in hopes to avoid injury and speed up recovery if injured. Try balancing on one foot with a slightly bent leg at the knee. Keep your back straight and reach for the ground at a slow pace about ten times. You should be able to feel your foot slightly burning as well as the calves and shins. Remember to take it slow and do your other foot.