September 24, 2015 By Nick Folker
Building Blocks: Front Bridge Progression Summary
Day 5: Front Bridge Up Downs
The final exercise in the progression brings all of the previous exercises togetther - unilateral extremity movement, full-body stability and vertical movement.
The key to the Up-Downs is to stabilise your hips not only for the single-arm movement but for the press up from the floor and the consequent return to the floor. When people refer to core work, there are few movements that target the different movement patterns of the mid-section as well as this exercise. This exercise is especially helpful for athletes trying to stabilse and brace for contact sports.
Exercise 5: Front Bridge Up Down
Tips:
Start lying flat on the ground. Push up on to your elbows with hands flat on the ground forming a straight line from the crown of your head through your tailbone. Pull your belly button in to decrease the hollow in the lower-back. Set your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Once you have stabilzed your mid-section, press up from the floor with your right arm, then with the left. Pause in the pushup position, with back flat and a slight bend at the elbow joint. Return to the floor in a controlled movement, first with the right arm, then the left, keeping your hips from rocking side-to-side or rotating. Pause at the start position, then rep for prescribed reps, alternating arms with each rep. More Building Blocks:
Be sure to check out the rest of the progression if you have more questions on how to master the squat.
Day 1: Starfish- Intro
Day 2: Front Bridge
Day 3: Front Bridge Rocker
Day 4: Front Bridge-Arm Raises
Now it's your turn:
Thanks for joining us on the final stage of the squat progression. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BridgeAthletic, Twitter at https://twitter.com/BridgeAthletic or on Instagram using the handle BridgeAthletic in order to see the rest of the progression.
Want Feedback? We're here to help. We highly encourage you and your athletes to share videos and pictures performing the exercises. Use #BuildBetterAthletes in order to receive feedback and guidance from one of our elite coaches on the BridgeAthletic Performance Team.
Be sure to check back next week for the Combo Pullup Progression.
About the Author
Nick Folker is the Co-Founder and Director of Elite Performance at BridgeAthletic. Nick’s roster of athletes includes 35 Olympians winning 22 Olympic Medals, 7 team NCAA Championships and over 170 individual and relay NCAA championships.
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