The purpose of training
With my profession, I am often approached by people who want to start taking better care of their bodies and minds. The questions they ask are usually about which type of exercise is the most effective—for example, which one burns the most calories in the shortest time—rather than about which type of exercise would truly benefit them and why.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: training isn’t just about achieving specific results or comparing ourselves to others; it’s about exploring and learning. It can be seen as a journey—a journey into us. Along the way, we discover everything we need to know.
If we approach this journey with an open and curious mindset, embracing everything we encounter, it becomes one of the most interesting and stimulating adventures we could ever experience— and we don't even have to travel anywhere, it happens right where we are.
So, how do we best begin this journey? The first question we should ask when it comes to exercise is: What is the purpose? Why should I spend time and energy performing and repeating different movements and what will it lead to?
From my experience in the field of performance development, I’ve learned that it all comes down to body awareness and control—the ability to feel and manage all parts of our body individually. Research supports the idea that this is a fundamental prerequisite for good health and a long life.
The next question then becomes: How can I train for this?
Most of us don’t notice these issues because we’re often unaware of how we perform various movements or how we use our bodies. A significant factor contributing to this is our natural asymmetry.
As humans, we can describe ourselves as "one-sided creatures" because most of us exhibit a natural dominance or preference for one side of our body over the other. This asymmetry is evident in various aspects of daily life:
Hand Dominance
The majority of people are either right-handed or left-handed, using their dominant hand for tasks requiring precision, strength, or skill.
Leg Dominance
Similarly, most individuals rely on one leg more for support, balance, or power during activities like kicking, stepping, or jumping.
Strength Imbalances
Over time, repetitive use of one side in activities like writing, carrying objects, or sports can lead to noticeable differences in strength and coordination between the dominant and non-dominant sides.
Postural Tendencies
Many people unconsciously favor one side while standing, sitting, or sleeping, leading to asymmetries in muscle development and posture.
Brain Lateralization
The brain itself is divided into two hemispheres with specialized functions. For instance, the left hemisphere typically controls language and analytical skills, while the right is more associated with creativity and spatial awareness. This functional split can also influence physical dominance.
While this one-sidedness is natural, it can lead to imbalances over time, affecting performance, posture, and overall health. Addressing these imbalances through the use of IndoorSUP can promote greater symmetry, strength, and body control.
Supplementary training
You hear it in the word. IndoorSUP is an ideal “supplementary” training. It is particularly beneficial for athletes in one-sided sports like tennis and other racket sports, soccer, hockey, golf, bowling, canoeing, dragon boat-paddling and throwing sports because this address the inherent asymmetries and repetitive stresses these activities impose on the body.
Feel
Training with IndoorSUP helps us experience and feel more of our bodies and muscles because the exercises demand greater focus and engagement from stabilizing muscles and the nervous system compared to many other forms of training. Here's why:
Heightened Muscle Activation
IndoorSUP-exercises isolate one side of the body, requiring the working muscles to bear the load without support from the opposite side. This increases muscle activation, making the effort more noticeable.
Enhanced Core Engagement
To maintain balance and stability, the core muscles work harder during IndoorSUP-exercises. This additional engagement increases body awareness as you feel these stabilizing muscles working.
Greater Focus on Form
Performing IndoorSUP-exercises demands more attention to technique to avoid losing balance or control. This mental focus creates a stronger mind-muscle connection, making you more aware of how your body moves.
Correcting Imbalances
When training IndoorSUP and one side at a time, you become more aware of strength differences, tightness, or mobility issues between sides. This heightened awareness helps you focus on areas that need improvement.
Improved Proprioception
IndoorSUP-exercises challenge your body’s ability to sense its position in space (proprioception). This increases your awareness of how muscles and joints work to stabilize and move you.
Balance and Stability Demands
During IndoorSUP-exercises, your body must work harder to maintain equilibrium. This challenge makes you more attuned to how muscles interact to keep you stable.
Overall, IndoorSUP creates a more mindful and engaging training experience, helping you connect with your body while addressing imbalances and improving coordination.
That's all for now so take care until next time! Remember, the more aware and questioning we are, the better chance we have of doing the right things.
Sincerely yours,
Magnus
Magnus R Lindstedt
High Performance Manager/Advisor