Exercises That Help You With Skateboarding


 by Victoria Weinblatt

Exercises that help you with skateboarding strengthen the muscles necessary to increase your performance and advance in the sport. Skateboarding primarily works the lower body to manipulate the board as you ride and do tricks, while balance requires a strong core.

Exercises that help you with skateboarding strengthen the muscles necessary to increase your performance and advance in the sport. Skateboarding primarily works the lower body to manipulate the board as you ride and do tricks, while balance requires a strong core. Do up to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions at least twice a week to reap the benefits of strength training exercises.

Barbell Calf Raises

Barbell calf raises exercise your calf muscles, which are critical to balancing on a skateboard. Stand under the barbell with one foot in front of it and one foot behind -- this is called a split stance. Hold the bar with your palms facing forward and a bit wider than shoulder-width apart. Place the bar at the top of your shoulders or across the back of your shoulders. Unrack the barbell and take one step backward to get into the starting position. Raise your heels off the floor while you count to three and lean slightly forward to maintain your balance. Lower your heels for a count of three to the starting position to complete one rep.

Seated Leg Press

The leg press targets your quads, which work hard to help you balance and execute tricks that require jumping and subsequently landing. Adjust the seat so your knees bend 90 degrees when your feet are flat on the foot plate. Grasp the handles at your sides. Relax your back, neck and head against the backrest and look forward to get into the proper starting position. Extend your legs without locking your knees and return to the starting position to complete one repetition.

Stability Ball Hamstring Curl

The stability ball hamstring curl strengthens your glutes and hamstrings. These muscles help you stand on your skateboard in a crouched position for long periods of time. Working with the stability ball develops balance. Lie on the floor with your feet, ankles and lower calves atop the stability ball. Extend your arms out to the side at shoulder height with your palms flat on the floor and look at the ceiling in the starting position. Contract your abs to lift your back off the floor so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your toes. Next, bend your knees to roll the ball toward your feet so you can place the soles of your feet atop the ball. Slowly return to the starting position to complete one repetition.

Core Muscles and Balance

Strengthen your core muscles and develop your balance with the yoga half moon pose. From a standing position, bend over from your hips toward the floor. Place your left hand on the floor, bending your knees if necessary, and your right hand on your hip. Lift your right leg behind you, gain your balance and rotate your hips and torso to face the right wall. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, and reverse the movements to get back to a standing position. Repeat on the other side.

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