Improving Core Muscle Strength

Table Tennis unlike other sports is very easy on the joints (that is if you know the right way) All round work out for your legs, arms and the core muscle strength.

You think aerobics is great to tone your body ? Try Ping Pong for a change ! (Sorry Jack Lalane and Jane Fonda) I have witnessed players have a change to dry clothing of up to 7 counts, some even squeezed out up to a liter of sweat. No joke! Step aside Sweat Club and the Biggest Losers campaign, but Arnold Swassy you can stay.

With the variety of spins and rotation on the ball, ready position, footwork, back swing, body turn, forward swing and "power" originating from the feet, transferred to the torso then to the arm / hand and ultimately striking the ball en-route the return builds up our core muscle strength.

So what are the core muscles ... in simple terms

The many who have attended my ping pong lessons will remember how I suggested to reduce arm / hand strength (keep the wrist work out at beginner's stage) while striking the ball and increase the body turn each time during the back swing of the arm. At the time a player strikes the ball during the forward swing, the torso / pelvis exerts the power onto the ball.

Whether it is a smash, top spin, loop almost all attacking play uses the core muscle, defending play such as choppers also involves the core muscles. As far as I can imagine, even blocking the ball requires this muscle system because the feet and body is in motion to place the hand holding the racket in the right angle and position to deflect / block the ball. Only in one situation when there is no use of the core muscle, that is when your opponent hit the ball right onto your racket which happens to be there at the right time and right angle causing a return.

With Ping Pong you can maintain a lean and toned up physique, especially when you constantly goes through the warm up and tone down routine. A great alternative to jogging, aerobics but do not forget your normal reps of push ups and if you will the 6 packs routine.

Enjoy and stay tune in.