Mountain climbers are a common exercise, but they’re one people dread — and for good reason! The move is tough. The exercise gets its name because the movement simulates the intense workout of climbing a mountain. Emphasis on intense.
Because the exercise is so commonly incorporated into workout routines and it appears simple enough to perform, it’s often underestimated. But mountain climbers are a high-intensity, calorie-burning exercise that works your entire body.
Whether you’re looking to improve leg and core strength or raise your heart rate, mountain climbers are a move that will get it done. But maintaining proper form is key to performing the movement correctly and getting the most out of it, while keeping yourself safe.
The benefits of mountain climbers
Mountain climbers are an exercise that gives you a lot of bang for your buck since they target many major muscle groups at once, including the abs, low back, hamstrings and glutes. Strong glutes and core muscles help us maintain good posture and mountain climbers are the perfect move to strengthen both these areas.
Although mountain climbers are high intensity and help raise your heart rate, they’re also low impact. Low-impact exercises are great for people who suffer with joint pain. However, it’s sometimes hard to find low-impact exercises that are effective at burning calories. Mountain climbers are accessible to most people and are a great move to incorporate into any workout routine.
The common mistakes people make when doing mountain climbers
Like the plank, mountain climbers require a specific position to ensure proper performance and prevent injury. A lot of my clients end up arching their backs and raising their hips too high. This disengages the core and will devalue the the move, while also putting stress on the back.
Moving too quickly and bouncing on the toes is another mistake a lot of my clients make. Although going faster may feel like a more intense workout, it actually makes it more…
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