The Reebok slide workout is an intense lateral low-impact exercise routine, which was created to mimic the movements of Olympic speed skaters, The side-to-side movement used in a slide workout targets the muscles in the inner and outer thighs and strengthens the ligaments of the hip and knee joints. Depending on the duration of your workout, you can also get cardio benefits by exercising with the Reebok slide.
Slide Gear
If you are an in-line skater, you will feel right at home on the Reebok slide, but leave your skates in the closet. The Reebok slide comes with a special pair of booties you slip on over your athletic shoes. The booties are designed to easily glide over the surface of the flat slide board. On each end of the slide board are bumpers which are designed to stop your motion. The bumpers provide a start and stop point for the lateral motion.
The Basics
The Reebok slide workout recruits muscles you may not normally use. In order to avoid soreness or injury, the American Council on Exercise recommends limiting your initial sessions to once a week, sliding for 10 minutes at a time. After a brief warm-up, the workout begins with a slow side-to-side slide motion. The initial focus of the workout is on proper body alignment and execution.
Place your foot up against the bumper, then bring the other foot onto the slide, placing it directly next to your other foot. Set your posture by bending your knees slightly, while keeping your back straight.
The Workout
The basic slide workout looks similar to a speed skater gently gliding across the ice. Before you take off on your first full length glide, you first test the surface. Centering your weight over the feet, the exercise begins by gently sliding the inside foot back and forth without moving the outside foot. The initial full length slide is slow and controlled. The music sets the rhythm for the side-to-side pace of the workout. The beginning move is simply to slide and close the legs together, then push to the the other side, slide and close the legs together.
Benefits
The Reebok slide workout, once popular in fitness facilities and gyms, is now mainly available on video to be performed at home. However, workouts using a slide board are still around and are often used in one-on-one personal training settings. The lateral movement that the slide board provides, has many benefits, including improving hip stability and strength, improving overall balance and stability, toning the inner and outer thigh muscles and burning calories.
Precautions
Before you attempt the Reebok slide workout, consult your physician. The lateral movement is not recommended for people who have stretched out ligaments in the knee and hip joints. This type of workout is not recommended for pregnant women. Groin injuries are possible when sliding to fast or losing control.
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