Ankle Stretches & Drills for Mobility
Back at you with some ankle stretches & drills to improve your function ability.
Poor flexibility of the ankle can thwart your gains from squats, so it’s an issue that should be addressed, especially if you are new to training. Squatting deep engages glutes, which are probably the most important core muscles. Yes, they are a part of the legs group, but they are also the base of the core, because of the way that they support the pelvis and lower back. Knee problems are 90% of the time either foot, or hip (glutes) related. These drills will help improve, not only, your ankle mobility, but also your overall bio-mechanics from the bottom up.
Included are…
– Calf & Achilles Stretches
– Tibialis Anterior Stretch
– Foam Rolling the Calf and Achilles
– Foam/Ball Rolling Tibialis Anterior
👍🏾
Tay.G
Starfish Plank – Core Balance
Improve your core balance with Starfish Planks by watching the video at the far bottom. As you will see, this is not an exercise that you would often see used in the gym, or given by instructors, but I love it!
WHO SHOULD USE THIS EXERCISE AND WHEN?
Intermediate – advanced gym rats should look at attempting this one. If the normal style and side planks are fairly easy for you already, then, by all means, move on to this one.
Use starfish planks in circuits along with other exercises that focus on building core balance for maximum results. Here are a couple to help get you started:
Bottoms Up Core Press: https://immortal-training.com/bottoms-up-core-press/
Isometric V Sit-Ups: https://immortal-training.com/isometric-v-sit-up/
WHAT ARE THE MAIN MUSCLES INVOLVED?
- Transverse Abdominis
- Rectus Abdominis
- Obliques
KEY POINTS
- Begin in a plank position on your hands (advanced), or on your elbows (beginners)
- Make sure that your core is braced, keeping your navel drawn in towards your spine throughout
- Shift on to a side plank position whilst balancing on one hand/elbow, with the opposite arm and leg raised
- Balance yourself for a second, or two, and then shift on to the other side
Overhead Sit-Up with Resistance Band – Core Exercises
This is one of the more advanced core exercises for building explosive strength. If you’re capable, but are not doing overhead sit-ups on a regular basis for some reason then you are missing out on some big gains!
WHO SHOULD USE THIS EXERCISE?
Recommended for intermediate to advanced gym goers. It might be a good idea to start with Single Arm Overhead KB Sit-ups if you have not yet built up enough strength to use band with both arms: https://immortal-training.com/single-arm-overhead-kb-sit-up/
WHICH MUSCLES DOES THIS EXERCISE TARGET?
- Rectus Abdominis
- Transverse Abdominis
WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS?
- Attach the band to a stable apparatus
- Lay flat on your back, knees bent, with your feet on the floor
- Hold the band with both hands, extend your arms towards the ceiling and keep the elbows locked
- Explode upwards whilst driving your lower back into the ground
- Your arms should be above your head when you are completely sat up
- Lower yourself back down slowly and repeat
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