By Elizabeth Towe
Objective: Shoulder press with torso rotation will improve rotation between the upper and lower body for running efficiency and encourage rotation throughout the entire column of the spine. The other benefits include improved single-leg balance and stability.
Exercise:
- Begin in a staggered stance with the pelvis square to the front of the body, holding light dumbbells at shoulder level.
- Brace the core (draw the back of the belly button toward the spine) to stabilize the spine.
- All in one motion, drive the back leg up, rotate the torso toward the lifting knee and press the dumbbells overhead. Engage the standing glutes for hip stability and balance.
- Unwind the torso and bring the dumbbells back to shoulder level and step back into a staggered stance.
- Repeat 10-15 times on each side for 2-3 sets.
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Elizabeth Towe is a runner and a cyclist and the owner of Balanced Movement Studio in Carrboro. She graduated from East Carolina with a degree in exercise and sports science and has been personal training for over 20 years. Her ultimate goal for all of her clients is to help them realize and achieve the optimal quality in their life – and to remember to have fun doing it.
