The spine

Where do you start with a training program? Do you want to build strong legs to improve your skating speed? How about shoulders and forearms to add power to your tennis stroke? Better yet, let's go after the often talked about "core" with some crunches or sit-ups. Will this help you generate more power and improve at your sport? It will if you start with the most important part first- the spine. The spine needs to be flexible and stable in order to adapt to the many different movements we are capable of (mobility) and to support the body and transfer power (stability) that we generate. There is no doubt that sit-ups and crunches develop our abdominals but it is important to remember that spine stability cannot be trained when the spine is moving. Spinal stability is trained by keeping the spine stable in the presence of movement around it by the limbs. So if you are say...a golfer, the next time you see someone in the gym doing "bird dogs" or "dead bugs" while focusing on not moving their spine, pay attention. They might be able to out drive you.