Chukka Wellness
Knowledge
India Parker-Smith founded Chukka Wellness – a company dedicated to helping polo players become fitter and stronger athletes. For several years, India worked as a Personal Trainer at one of Chelsea’s premier private members’ clubs and began to train some of the world’s leading sportsmen and women. India trains both international and UK Polo professionals focusing not only on functional movements and body maintenance, but also advising clients on fuelling their bodies correctly for mental alertness and physical endurance. Chukka Wellness brings you the second workout in the Get Fit at The Polo Club series
Exercise at The Pony Lines Get fit at the polo Club As a polo player do you prepare your body for the busy polo season. Do you stay hydrated and fuel yourself effectively for sustained energy levels? Would you say your muscles are strong and joints supple for the high impact game? In the world of polo, it is inevitable that horses receive the best care and treatment; they are warmed up before chukkas, fed good quality produce and any injury is immediately taken care of. So why do so many riders refuse to prioritise their own health and wellness during the busy polo season? Polo is a very strenuous sport and to prolong playing time and avoid injury; body maintenance should be a main focus for
players. “Preparation stops you from being caught off guard and lets you physically and mentally prep for the challenges ahead”, Richard Wilcox, Strength Coach. As the competition mounts in polo, it is the marginal gains that create winners so combining an effective exercise programme with the correct nutrition can help propel one’s athletic performance. “Resistance training must be progressive, and the skill work identical to the movement patterns of the sport. When both components are working in concert, the result is a highly efficient, explosive athlete,” Ken Mannie, Strength Coach. Players may want to start by making a few adjustments to their weekly routine in
Glute bridge (glutes & hamstrings) Start by holding on to the pony lines with an under-arm grip and walk your feet forward until you are hanging off the pole. Slowly lower your hips down towards the ground, engage your core muscles and slowly thrust your hips up into the air avoiding any over-extension through the back. You should feel your glutes and hamstring muscles contract.
order to become fitter and stronger athletes. A few suggestions include following a postchukka stretching routine, adding in 20 minutes of resistance training three times a week and fuelling the body correctly with healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats. If players are looking to kickstart their polo-fitness regime, Chukka Wellness has created a series of resistance workouts using solely equipment found at a polo club. This month we are ‘working out’ at the pony lines. Pony Lines Workout • Perform each exercise for 30 seconds • One-minute rest in-between sets • Three to four sets
Floor press (arms and shoulders) Start with an under-arm grip on the pony lines and walk your feet forward until your legs are fully extended. Gently pull yourself up to the bar leading with your chest and keep your elbows tucked into your sides. Ensure to keep your body aligned and abdominal muscles engaged throughout the whole exercise to avoid any back pain.
Photography by Chukka Wellness
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Polo Times, May 2020
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