Knowledge
Chukka Wellness 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. In this series Chukka Wellness founder, India will be suggesting specific exercises required to complement each type of shot in polo to give players a more accurate, controlled and powerful swing. India recommends adding in exercises that aim to stabilise the shoulder and hip joints, strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve core control
The Offside Backhand The Chukka Wellness polo-fitness series
Polo is a very physically demanding sport and requires a high level of athletic prowess in order for players to perform at their best! Players need to be strong, stable and supple in the saddle to win in ride offs,
complete effective shots and control the horse effectively. Recommended Exercises (three sets, 1520 reps per exercise)
This type of shot requires • Balance • Shoulder Mobility • Strong Inner Thighs • Strong Obliques
Balancing Squats (Improves balance) 1. Grab a balancing aid (Bosu, wobble board or stand on one leg) 2. Hop on to your balancing aid in either a half squat position or on one leg (depending on what balancing aid you have available) 3. Open up your toes, squeeze your glutes and ensure your knees are not wobbling all over the place! 4. Engage your core and slowly squat up and down trying to keep the balancing aid as still as possible.
Photography by Chukka Wellness
Balancing squats
Banded Shoulder Floss (Improves shoulder mobility) 1. Attach a resistance band to a stable base and put the other end around your shoulder joint. Move away from the base until you have a good amount of resistance. 2. Keeping your arm as close to your ears as possible, floss the arm up and down 3. Every time you lower the arm, relax and allow the band to pull your shoulder back out of the joint a little.
Banded shoulder floss
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Polo Times, October 2020
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