Breakdancing, also known as b-boying, is a form of street dance that requires a lot of strength and agility. The dance style emerged during the 1970s and encompasses footwork, power moves, freezes and intricate moves, requiring immense physical prowess. In the heart of the action lies the core: the centre of gravity and the source of every movement. Breakdancing core strengthening is therefore pivotal to mastering the dance.
Core strengthening helps dancers to maintain balance, control their movements and execute complex sequences and power moves with precision. Whether it’s a windmill or a headspin, a strong core is necessary for stability and control. The stronger your core, the more easily you can learn new moves, maintain your stamina during a performance, and reduce your risk of injury. When it comes to breakdancing, a well-conditioned core can elevate your abilities to new height.
Exercises for Breakdancing Core Strengthening
Amongst many, Planks are a versatile exercise that can help you to strengthen your core. They call upon the muscles around the abdomen, hips, back and glutes to simultaneously activate, bearing resemblance to the demands of breakdance moves. Holding a plank for a succinct time will encourage stabilization and core control.
Leg Raises can help target the lower section of your core, translating to better control during moves like flares or six-steps. They can also aid in developing hip flexibility, something of major contribution to breakdance. Meanwhile, Russian Twists are a compound exercise that will develop the sides of your abdomen helpful for lots of footwork and power moves.
Hollow Body Holds are a standard move in gymnastics, another discipline that complements breakdance. Making these a part of your routine will strengthen your whole core and help you hold your body tight during aerial moves in breakdance.
Ab wheel rollouts are a challenging but rewarding exercise. They target your abs, obliques and lower back, offering comprehensive core conditioning. Such an exercise will contribute greatly to your breakdancing core strengthening.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is core strength necessary for breakdancing?
Core strength is vital in breakdancing because it’s the foundation for all movement. All the fancy footwork, postural changes and power moves in breakdancing depend on a strong, flexible, and balanced core. When your core is strong, you’re better able to maintain your center of balance during spins, lifts and freezes.
2. How often should I do breakdancing core strengthening exercises?
Breakdancing core strengthening exercises should become a regular part of your conditioning routine. You can start with 3 times a week and gradually progress to 5 or 6 times a week as your fitness improves. It’s also important to give your body sufficient rest to recover and rebuild stronger muscle tissues.
3. What type of exercises builds a breakdancer’s core strength?
Exercises that could help in breakdancing core strengthening include planks, leg raises, Russian twists, hollow body holds, and ab wheel rollouts. They all target different areas of the core and collectively improve your strength and stability.
Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Warm Up. A warm-up is essential before beginning any kind of exercise. Jog on the spot for a few minutes, do some light stretching or jumping jacks to get your blood flowing.
Step 2: Planks. Start by going down into a simple forearm plank. Hold it for as long as you can. As your core gets stronger, you’ll be able to hold it longer.
Step 3: Leg Raises. Lay flat on your back on a mat. With your hands firmly by your sides, raise both legs together, keeping them as straight as possible, until they form a right angle with the rest of your body.
Step 4: Russian Twists. Sit on your mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift your feet off the floor and twist your torso back and forth, trying to touch each elbow to the floor on the respective side.
Step 5: Hollow Body Holds. Lay on your back with your arms stretched above your head. Lift your hands and feet off the ground, about 6 inches each.
Step 6: Ab Wheel Rollouts. Kneel on your mat with the ab wheel in front of you. Roll the wheel out as far as you can while keeping your core tight, then roll it back in to the starting position.
Step 7: Repeat. These exercises make up one cycle. Aim to do at least three cycles in one training session.
Steps 8-15: Maintain Consistency. Consistency is key when it comes to strength training. Keep working through these exercises regularly, slowly increasing the repetitions as you get stronger.
Overall, breakdancing core strengthening exercises cater to the demands of this athletic dance style. Incorporating a dedicated core strengthening routine in your overall training will eventually add value to your dance and performance.