Wrestlers Bridge Exercise

Used In Mixed Martial Arts And Military Conditioning - Wrestlers Bridge Exercise

Of all the bodyweight conditioning exercises, this one can cause you some of the most grief. Its not that its hard, its just that its humbling. Why? Well you can have great cardio and be as strong as an ox but if you are tight in the shoulders or hip flexors you in for a wake up call.

The thing about the wrestlers bridge is that you cant rush progress on it. Its not like you can bull your way into it either. You have to work on your flexibility a little at a time untill the shoulders and hips open up. You may find in the beginning that you can only push up a little into the wrestlers bridge and then have to support yourself on your head. Instead of going right up into the arms straight out. Thats fine, I'm still working on getting loose enough and it freak'n frustrating. A couple of weeks work though and it starts to show.

How I work it into the routine is to do five sets of five wrestlers bridges after a chest and back workout. Just an up down and possibly hold for as long as possible on the last couple reps of the last set. Sometimes I will also do a static wrestlers bridge stretch over a bench just to hold it longer and let in really sink in.

Another way to get the shoulders to open for the bridge is to back a bench up to the squat rack, lean over the bench and walk your hands down the rack pole to the ground. From there work on straightening the arms and opening the hips.

If any of that was confusing, check out the video of my version of the wrestlers bridge bodyweight exericise..



For more complete information and a FREE special report on WHY the EDM method is the single best and most useful method for losing weight and how EASY it is for anyone to get started, no matter what you weigh now, visit: The Insiders Weight Loss Guide *Special Report*

Ray Burton is a 15 year veteran weight loss coach who specializes in helping busy moms and parents maximize their results.