Enhance Your Performance For Cheerleading With Core Exercises
Enhance Your Performance For Cheerleading With Core Exercises
Having a strong core or middle section is an important aspect of your physical conditioning. A strong core will not only help you stabilize your body and enhance your performance, it will also reduce the chance of injury. You can achieve this with a regular workout program that includes exercises geared towards this.
You can target the area of the lower back, the abdomen and either side of your midsection. These core areas are what you will be working out using a variety of exercises. Below are some sample workouts you can start with.
1. For your abdomen you can start off with the basic crunches. The simplest is to lay on the floor with your knees bent, raise your torso by curling it upwards and simultaneously rotating your hip to press your lower back into the floor. Try doing crunches while laying on an exercise ball and both feet on the floor.
2. Do the plank. The plank is simple in execution but can be difficult for some until they get stronger. It is executed by getting in a push-up position, but you will be supporting yourself on your forearms instead of you hands. Keep your body straight from your head to your toes and hold this position for a count of 30. If you can not hold for that long start with a shorter time.
3. For your back, lay on your stomach with your arms stretched overhead. You can place a rolled up towel under your hips to support your back. You can alternate raising and lowering each arm and leg separately for a count of three. Also try raising your upper torso slightly off the floor as if doing reverse crunches for 10 repetitions. Be careful that you do not try to raise up too high.