Health and Wellness FITNESS ON BALANCE
A solid foundation at the foul line leads to greater consistency in your game
By Nick Bohanan
makes it easier to repeat shots. Not surprisingly, the elite athletes who have been tested at the Interna- tional Training and Research Center all have exceptional balance. Also not surprisingly, they are all able to consistently repeat shots. Previously we discussed leg-
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strengthening exercises to aid your balance while bowling, but there are other ways to promote balance. Just because you have strong legs doesn’t mean you’re going to have good balance. We can use other areas of our body, namely our awareness of where our body is, as a means to increase our balance. Your position at the foul line
alance, particularly at the foul line, is one of the keys to consistency in bowling. It
forces you to maintain balance on one leg, which is not a natural posi- tion. By strengthening our bodies in positions we are not used to, we are better prepared to maintain balance. Simply put, if you trip you want to be able to catch yourself. If you have poor balance, odds are you are going to fall. Start by doing single-leg exer-
cises. Stand on one leg and lean forward with your arms stretched out in front of you and your other leg stretched out behind you. Try to create a parallel plane with your arms and back leg. Hold that posi- tion for just a few seconds, return to a standing position and repeat. Do a set of 10 repetitions. Switch to the other leg. Do three sets on each leg. This is a yoga-type position, but is made more dynamic by the rep- etition.
“Remember, bowling puts you in positions not normal in your everyday life. Balance is a combination of strength and awareness.”
DON’T BE A PUSHOVER: Click on the play button (above) to view Team USA mem- ber Bryanna Caldwell demonstrating exercises that will improve your balance.
Another single-leg exercise is to
strike a similar pose and reach to the floor with one hand, using your other leg to balance yourself. Again, hold the pose for a second and return to an upright stance. Do a set of 10 repetitions, then switch legs. Do three sets on each leg. To add a challenge to the sec-
ond exercise, set 10 paper cups on the floor in a semi-circle. When you reach down, pick up the first cup. Return to your upright stance (try to maintain your balance without letting your other foot return com-
13 USBOWLER JULY 2011
pletely to the ground), then reach back down for the second cup, and so on. Do the same exercise using the opposite leg. Take your time and bend slowly. Concentrate on main- taining good balance. Remember, bowling puts you in
positions not normal in your every- day life. Balance is a combination of strength and awareness. Let other areas of your body help you im- prove that balance. — Nick Bohanan is United States Bowling Congress Sports Performance Specialist.
FITNESS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION TIPS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER
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