9 Comments

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  Rosenberg
  August 17, 2010

  I’ve noticed over the years the movements you find to be most beneficial tend to mimic classic yoga postures. The tactical frog is a variation of the frog pose or you could invert it and wind up in the happy baby pose. Windmills are akin to the side angle pose. Reverse side angle would be very interesting with a KB in hand.

  What was old is new again…..
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  Rob Umfress
  August 17, 2010

  You should wear that shirt to the workout next week. Love the star plank Dan, can’t wait to use it more often.
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  Deadly Nedly
  August 18, 2010

  Dan – Another awesome post! I learned something. Definitely going to do the wall-windmills as some warmup ROM stuff this week, probably tomorrow. Also might try the super-Dan John-plank complex with some KBs as well.

  I never thought about the KB swing being a moving plank, but I’m inclined to agree with you. I hesitate because if the KB swing is a moving plank, then didn’t we just relegate the whole of spinal stabilization to be placed under the “plank” umbrella? I’m not sure I can do that… planks are great and all but I understand them as a tool in the spinal stabilization toolbox. I mean you could just as easily call a squat some sort of dynamic posterior chain / barbell loaded spine sandwich plank. Which is obviously bullshit. The KB swing distinction is less obvious.

  Where does “dynamic planking” end and the rest of sport begin? If I am on the football field, am I actually trying to dynamically plank this QB into the dirt?

  I’m not sure whether this is dangerous “plankophile” talk, or a useful new perspective. I’ll have to think on it. Thanks for the food for thought Dan!
• 

  OB
  August 18, 2010

  Dan, Thanks for the blog. Looking forward to your up&coming next book.
  “Reverse side angle would be very interesting with a KB in hand.”
  I believe Pavel does this one with a dumbell in p126-127 of Relax into Stretch…. its a light one.
  Walls are good value in keeping yourself “honest” in quite a few stretching movements. Have used them quite a bit. The floor can fulfill as similar role with some movements.
  Cheer from down under
  OB
• 

  adrienl
  August 18, 2010

  Love the new video bloggin (though not as much as your dvd set).

  Anyway just have 2 quick questions. First is whether you could video (or link me to a video) that better showcases the wall windmill. I tried it and my body/mind have no idea what is going on or what is supposed to be going on.
  Second is have you read the book Stability, Sport, and Performance Movement by Joanne Elphinston? Its a great book and is the first book (in fact the first anywhere) that i have seen the star plank in (although she terms it a star sequence). I especially like it due to its focus on correct progressions and having smooth effortless movment throughout all of your training.

  Anyway thanks again for your many free materials and have a great day.
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  Lonnie
  August 18, 2010

  Loving the video blogs.
  I had forgotten about the ‘star plank’ I remember you showing it to me at camp and have no idea why I forgot about it.
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  Dan Martin
  August 18, 2010

  Thanks Rosie for your suggestions. As if I’m not being twisted up enough already.
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  Clement
  August 18, 2010

  Hello Dan! Great blog, or vlog, as they call it nowadays.
  Anyway, I wanted to ask you if there’s a significant difference between dumbbell windmills and kettlebell windmills. Thanks!
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  Kevin Rudolphi
  August 19, 2010

  Hey Dan. Big fan of your blog and videos. I learn something new every time I visit the website.