Personal Accountability Upkeep and SUP Hip Tips

It’s been a tumultuous period of time in our country, and for me being kinder, more present, and less self absorbed has taken on a whole new focus. I’ve had to take stock and make some corrections along with trusting the process. With the help of my family, mental therapist, and an exercise physiologist it’s been quite a journey! I am so pleased I have these opportunities at this stage of my life to grow and develop into a better version of me.

My training has become even more defined and important for my health and performance. I have been developing new strength milestones and it feels great. It has been all about showing up each day for myself and sticking with the plan. Being physically strong is a practice that needs to be taken seriously front and center.

I have stepped into a new direction with my goals with a keen focus on fundamentals. It’s been so rewarding trying to attain excellence with a rework from the ground up. To see and feel the gains and to move more iron with my kettlebell practice has been awesome to realize. It has super charged my mental confidence and what I feel I can do in my sports, daily work, and personal activities.

I have been utilizing kettlebells for a very long time, but I am now moving even better, keeping more time under tension, and lifting heavier weight more confidently! An old dog can definitely learn new tricks!

Now in terms of stand up paddle boarding lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time studying the relationship between the hips and stroke technique. I’ve pondered these 6 observations often that could be caused from inefficient or incorrect hip dynamics i.e. strength, mobility, movement patterns, etc.

1.) Being out of balance on your board more often than not.

2.) Looking and feeling stiff and clumsy.

3.) Hanging out in the water for too long with your paddle during each stroke.

4.) A higher heart rate than desired.

5.) The inability to increase your mph without feeling like you’re totally gassed.

6.) Neck, shoulder, and back pain both acutely and chronic.

Transferring the power to your paddle is a dynamic interplay of your paddle angle and the hips. If your timing is off and you don't have a solid strength and mobility foundation, you will struggle.