The Case for a Stronger Core
When you watch Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Kim Clijsters, on TV, they make tennis look so easy. Shots hit with immense power appear effortless and their movement makes the court seem so small. One thing that most people don't pay attention to, but should, is a professional tennis player's body control. How is it that, while on the full run, these pros look so calm and their bodies and actions can act with such amazing control?
You can't always see it, but it's there.... that's right, it's the core. Take one look at Fernando Verdasco's abs and you'll understand how a smaller player (by today's standards) can hit so hard and cover baseline to net in an instant. Pros train extremely hard off the court with personal trainers to get themselves in peak physical shape and you can bet core training is at the center of their programs.
Having a strong core means so much for your game. First, it helps alleviate the pressure on the lower back by stabilizing the mid-section of your body. Second, having strong oblique muscles (the ones that are responsible for twisting and transverse plane movements) helps to transfer body weight into ground strokes and serves while maintaining balance. And finally, strong core musculature aids in keeping the spine erect and supported during high impact activities such as sprinting and the sudden lateral movements associated with tennis.
There are so many ways to achieve a strong and healthy core. You can work your core by challenging yourself to yoga, pilates or cross-training programs like P-90X and CrossFit. Plyometric training programs are also an amazing way to develop explosive movements and strengthen core muscle groups. Just pick one of the exercise methods named above and you will be amazed to feel new engaged muscle fibers in your body if you commit to a serious workout routine. Using these disciplines to enhance your physical fitness will help strengthen your core and overall fitness, while helping you develop great athletic posture. And, of course, in tennis, strong posture will help you move more fluidly and help your game feel easier and more effortless!
- Jesse Schouten
The Case for a Stronger Core
By Jesse Schouten |
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
17
comment(s)
When you watch Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Kim Clijsters, on TV, they make tennis look so easy. Shots hit with immense power appear effortless and their movement makes the court seem so small. One thing that most people don't pay attention to, but should, is a professional tennis player's body control. How is it that, while on the full run, these pros look so calm and their bodies and actions can act with such amazing control?
You can't always see it, but it's there.... that's right, it's the core. Take one look at Fernando Verdasco's abs and you'll understand how a smaller player (by today's standards) can hit so hard and cover baseline to net in an instant. Pros train extremely hard off the court with personal trainers to get themselves in peak physical shape and you can bet core training is at the center of their programs.
Having a strong core means so much for your game. First, it helps alleviate the pressure on the lower back by stabilizing the mid-section of your body. Second, having strong oblique muscles (the ones that are responsible for twisting and transverse plane movements) helps to transfer body weight into ground strokes and serves while maintaining balance. And finally, strong core musculature aids in keeping the spine erect and supported during high impact activities such as sprinting and the sudden lateral movements associated with tennis.
There are so many ways to achieve a strong and healthy core. You can work your core by challenging yourself to yoga, pilates or cross-training programs like P-90X and CrossFit. Plyometric training programs are also an amazing way to develop explosive movements and strengthen core muscle groups. Just pick one of the exercise methods named above and you will be amazed to feel new engaged muscle fibers in your body if you commit to a serious workout routine. Using these disciplines to enhance your physical fitness will help strengthen your core and overall fitness, while helping you develop great athletic posture. And, of course, in tennis, strong posture will help you move more fluidly and help your game feel easier and more effortless!
- Jesse Schouten