Unlike other components of fitnesslike strength, balance, and flexibilitycoordination is a bit nebulous and difficult to conceptualize.
That brings me to several coordination conundrums.
Why are some of us seemingly less coordinated than others?
Getty Images / Jorg Greuel
(It feels downright unfair.)
How do your coordination abilities affect your performance in the gymand in life?
And perhaps most important, is coordination a trainable skill (i.e.
is there any hope for me?!).
I asked some experts to demystify the topic.
Heres what they had to say.
Heres what we mean by coordination.
Adding more joints, velocity, and/or load to a movement can increase the coordination challenge.
And lunging with abarbellrequires more coordination than lunging with just your bodyweight because the load is much greater.
When conceptualizing coordination, stability and balance may also come to mind.
So why am I, specifically, so horribly uncoordinated?
Beyond our DNA, however, our current coordination abilities could also be a product of experience.
This brings me to the good news: Coordinationisa trainable skill, says Somerset.
Through consistent, targeted efforts, you might improve it.
(More on that in a bit.)
Is poor coordination ever something to worry about?
This key in of incoordination is typically genetic (i.e.
Heres why its maybe worth working on your coordination.
In other words, your movements will be more effective and efficient.
Good coordination can also reduce your risk of injury, say Aanonson and Somerset.
Beyond that, as we age, our ability to complete physical tasks degrades, explains Somerset.
So how does one become less clumsy?
As mentioned, when it comes to coordination, were all at different levels, says Aanonson.
Some folks are just naturally more coordinated than others and can master coordination-focused tasks more quickly.
The mental component, however, can be tough.
Its not something where you could just show up and go through the motions, says Somerset.
And in fact working on those other things will naturally make you more coordinated too.
Instead, she recommends focusing more on strength, balance, and flexibility work.
Somerset puts it another way.
Coordination, he says, is one of the more interwoven and involved components [of fitness].
Here are a few coordination drills to try.
However you do it, start small to reduce risk of injury and to better your chance at success.
Skipping is another good way to work your coordination, says Somerset.
If you could, add in an arm swing.
Though skipping may sound like childs play, a lot of people do struggle with it, he warns.
Another coordination challenge: Try jumping and landing on one foot without wobbling or moving your foot.
Balance drills are another great option.
And working on the latter is a good way to train and improve the former, he adds.
(Here are a fewbalance-challenging exercises it’s possible for you to try.)
When it comes to incorporating coordination drills, the more variety, the better, says Somerset.
This will help you be more well-rounded in your abilitiesboth at the gym and in life.
And maybejust maybeIll find myself braving some trail-running routes soon.
