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Annabel

Developing core muscle strength - know any exercises . . ?

Hi - can anyone recommend good exercises/training to develop core muscle strength (stomach/back)? I have only been playing a couple of months but want to strengthen my core to help me hold the half seat better and for longer . . . and any other general polo training/exercise tips to help you play better would be very helpful! Thanks everyone . .

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Hi Annabel,
we did a series lately covering all aspects of training - warming-up, flexibility, strength - all training units and steps specifically designed and customized to meed the needs of polo players. All exercises are demonstrated step-by-step in photo and writing, so if your visual thinking works ok - which it should, really, what with playing polo - I could send you the download link. Downside: the description are in German, of course ;o)
All the best,
Christoph

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Hey there Christoph - thanks so much, that sounds a very good start. Yes please send me the link - I don't speak German but if there are accompanying photos that should give me enough information . . can you send me the link as a comment? if not I can send you a friend invitation and then you can send it to me in a message. Thanks again! regards

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Hi Christoph,

Would you mind if I get a link to this too?

Thanks much!

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Christoph can i possibly get the link

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Hi Christoph,

Is it possible to send me that link, i'm startin polo and i'm sure these exercises would be a great asset to my evolution.

Thx in advance.
Cedric.

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Reggie Ludwig has a very good tip. Sit on a gym ball legs astride as you would on a horse, attached a rope to a door or similar, and work your thighs and legs, as well as your back, all whilst remaining balanced as well. Give it a try, it's a great part of a general workout as well!

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Hey there Ian, thanks for your note. so you mean sit on the ball an hold the rope with both hands and rock back and forth? and should your feet be on the floor? or not - i presume if not it makes your balance more, use your muscles etc .. sounds a good exercise though, thanks for the tip!

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Hi Annabel...if you have access to a Gym, you will find the wire rope free pull wieghts, the one that have a tower each side, so you can slide the pulley to the top. In this position, with a low weight, 10 to max 20 lbs, using the twisted rope (normally used for tricep pull downs), grasping just one end, you can similate a polo swing, only as slow as you want. This excercize really helps you feel the the use of your whole body in the polo swing, and true "feel" of a total swing... not just swating at it with your arm. This is particularily important for women players. Remember a good swing is like pulling a rope, not swinging a mallet ?
You can add wieght very slowly over time, but the more wieght the slower the swing (pull) should be. You can add to the workout, by adding weight to the other tower, more like 30 -50 lbs, and use this like the riens (more wieght the stronger the horse !). Its looks a little funny, and the jocks will wonder what your up to, but hey who cares, you will add 30 yards to your shots, and take the slice out :)

I'll try and post a pic/diagram....so you don't hurt yourself trying to figure what I mean !

Regards

Geoff

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Morning Geoff! Thanks for this. Yes I do have access to a gym so this would be good one.. . .but cannot visualise very well exactly how you mean . . so if you could post any diagrams that would be very helpful!!! thanks again regards Annabel

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Ok not being a weights junkie I cannot quite visualise this either - waiting for your diagram......(will remember 'pulling a rope' for tomorrow) . i can;t wait to add 30 yards and take the slice out - hey! how did you know I did that? best to you

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Hi Annabel,

If you are a member of the gym, try to see if they offer pilates classes. If not, there should be a pilates centre near you. You can also check out your local university, they may have pilates classes in their sports centre.

Pilates, as defined in Wikipedia: focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles.

I do Pilates myself and find it very useful and helpful with my horsemanship. Supplement that with swimming and the exercises stated by the other guys here, and you will be golden.

Almost forgot, they have pilates classes on youtube if you want to check it out. But I still highly recommend the classes as the instructor can make sure you are doing the exercises properly.

Happy riding!

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Thanks for the Pilates tips Ignacio - I am due to have my first lesson this week at my gym! Best regards annabel

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