The Wheelbarrow
Name: The Wheelbarrow. Also known as: (if you know this by any other name, leave a comment below). Main muscles used: Stomach, shoulders. Other muscles used: Hip flexors, arms, most the muscles on the front side of the body. Top tips:
- While you are in the normal pressup position, either have a partner lift and hold your feet (like in the wheelbarrow race from school), or hook your toes over your trusty ab-wheel.
- Keep your legs straight at all times.
- Keep your belly very tight by thinking of doing an abdominal crunch.
- Keep your shoulders down (i.e. the opposite of a shrug) all the time.
- Start walking slowly forwards with your arms, trailing you feet behind you. Progress by increasing speed when safety and confidence allows.
Common mistakes:
- Twisting, squirming and turning of your torso as you move.
- Losing tightness in the belly and allowing your gut to hang and sag down to the floor.
- Tripping over your hands and planting your face in the floor.
Comments: This is a dynamic progression to the Front Plank. So don’t try it until your Front Plank is solid. This kind of exercise is well suited to people who punch or push a lot in their sports, as it is good for general shoulder girdle stability and core strength. It is also particularly good when done as a game between friends/rivals. The added fun and competition elements usually produce a far greater effort from those doing it. But please be aware of how solid the floor is compared to your squishy face.