Give it a Go - Mountain Climbers

Mountain Climbers are a great whole body exercise, which provide a great core workout, challenge your Cardiovascular System and work your upper body and in particular lower body muscles. Whilst your leg muscles are doing most of the work by jumping back and forward, your arms, chest, shoulders and abdominals are getting a workout from holding the position and keeping you stable. Being able to do Mountain Climbers correctly is a great test of your strength, cardiovascular fitness and is something many people struggle with.

Mountain Climbers will challenge you and are a vigorous exercise. Are you up for a challenge? Mountain climbers utilise elements of a press up and squat thrusts.

Mountain Climbers don't require any equipment, don't need much room and they can be performed anywhere and varied in so many ways.

Poor technique is common when people do mountain climbers, don't rush the exercise at the expense of form - you won't get the full benefit of the exercise. The following are a few tips on how to perform mountain climbers safely and correctly

• Begin with your body in a press up position (see Give it a Go - Press Ups), so that arms are straight under the shoulders shoulder width apart, abdominals are contracted; legs extended and toes on the floor. There should be a straight line from your head to your heels.
• Powerfully but safely, jump (or run) one leg forward so that your knee bends and comes towards your chest. Your other leg should still be extended behind you.
• With control, jump your leg back again to the start position. Then repeat with the other leg. That is 1 repetition.
• You should be running forward with one leg as the other is going back.
• Using a smooth motion, breathe in on the way forward and out on the way back.
• Avoid letting your back/hips sag towards the floor or up in the air and your knees bang onto the floor.

As a starter, aim to complete 30 seconds and see if you can do this 2-3 times. If you can't don't worry. Build up to it. You are best doing 8 correct Mountain Climbers with safe and proper technique to work the targeted muscles rather than 15 incorrect ones.

In future blogs, I will suggest ways that you can make the Mountain Climbers more challenging or if needed a little easier. For instance, you can turn into into a Burpees,  incorporate a press up etc. For s similar but more advanced version of the Mountain Climbers see "Give it a Go - Squat Thrusts".

Please remember to warm up thoroughly before exercising and to speak to your GP before starting any exercise programme. Should you require any help, advice or information please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted to discuss with you the tried and tested methods and lifestyle changes that I have developed to help people achieve their health and fitness goals.

Keep up the great work,

Live life actively,

Matt