top of page

Training... A Mindset, A Philosophy, A Difference


Training for the “Sport of Kings,” in the modern day game, does not simply mandate a mallet, a horse and a field. Training for polo means countless hours in the cage, on the field, in the arena and in the gym. Although practicing the sport itself remains at the forefront of training, with each coach bringing their own training techniques and philosophies to their athletes, adding performance training makes a difference in today’s modern polo player.

Words like longevity, recovery and injury prevention are equal to “performance” when it comes to one of the most-likely-to-be-injured sports in the world. The athletes with the strongest and most mobile bodies typically recover faster, play longer and have less devastating injuries. However, the formula for this training methodology is highly complex with a lot of moving parts that must be implemented to each athlete.

The performance coach must avoid overuse injuries commonly associated with polo. Step one – train the counter muscles. A huge mistake coaches make is simulating power movements of hitting the ball. They place emphasis on medicine balls – and even hitting tennis balls as a major training bonus. However, these simulated movements off of the field do not directly improve the swing technique or power of the professional athlete, and in turn, can often lead to overuse from repetitive motions. Instead, the performance coach must look at how and which muscles are used during the swing, training those muscles to strengthen, while training the counter muscles to balance the body’s swing mechanics.

Step two – look to strengthen the lumbo-pelvic hip complex. This means high levels of core strength and stability along with hip stability. Hip stability is found through gluteal musculature strength, particularly the glute medius muscles. Having balanced and equally active gluteal muscles can be the difference in lower back pain as well as hip pain. Performance comes through a strong core that doesn’t overuse the lower back.

Step three – perform fascia therapy and stretch the adductors. Yes, strong adductors are vital for polo players. However, professional polo players are already quite strong in the adductors from countless hours of riding. Although it is easy for a performance coach to say “Train the adductors more for increased performance,” this can often lead to overuse injuries. A polo player typically trains three to four hours a day –and much of that time is spent on saddle or in the cage. Throughout the practice, their adductors are active. When a performance coach trains those adductors another hour after practice, those muscles will be fatigued. Replicate this five to six days a week and an injury is likely to occur.

Step four – analyzing the entire body of the athlete and making individual adjustments for their imbalances, weaknesses and strengths. As a performance coach, or any coach for that matter, we must remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to training. Every program / workout written must be looked upon as a blueprint for building successful and healthy athletes; adjusted as needed.

Polo is by far one of the most intense sports in the world. With high injury rates and expenses that go with it, polo players need to stay healthy to prolong their playing career, and it is performance training that will get them there.

Mark Wine is the CEO of Functional Muscle Fitness, Inc., in Concord, Calif., www.functionalmusclefitness.com

15 Comments


On wrist, it feels like nothing more than you need. While I love the link 36mm sizing of the previous generations, the 214270 feels nicely balanced at 39mm. It's not delicate, it feels current and thoughtful, and it is a great size on my 7-inch wrist. On the bracelet it wears a bit heavy (I don't commonly wear any of my watches on a bracelet), but the Oyster link is a solid link option that doesn't overpower the Explorer on wrist.

Like

In 2014, HODINKEE sat down with the man responsible for the brand's creative vision. And as someone who first began working link for link Swatch in 1987, he has plenty of insights to share about the 2014 releases and the company's place in link the greater world of watchmaking.

Like

Brand: HamiltonModel: Khaki Field Murph 38mmDiameter: 38mmThickness: 11.1mmCase Material: link Stainless steelDial Color: BlackIndexes: Arabic numeralsLume: link YesWater Resistance: 100mStrap/Bracelet: link Leather strap

Like

Even at 13.4mm thick (give or take) it still wears well. Voutilainen puts a lot of thought into the case shape and the lower lug placement on the midcase, plus the dropoff of the link teardrop lugs, hugs the wrist quite nicely. And link again, despite how it might look here in a flat plane, it is legible enough link to not think twice about it.

Like

Once you've gotten into watch enthusiasm, it doesn't take long to learn that simply changing the strap on a watch can completely transform the link experience of that watch. And here we are with a watch that, having existed without one, link wears link a bracelet with go-anywhere aplomb. Truly, an old dog teaching itself new tricks. Take a look at the transformation of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical in today's Spec Sheet.

Like
bottom of page