Written on June 29, 2010 at 8:00 am, by Eric Cressey
Q: What do you think of Bodyblades and how – if at all- should they be incorporated into a pitcher’s routine?
A: As many of you know, I’m a fan of integrating rhythmic stabilization drills that train the true function of the rotator cuff: maintaining the humeral head in the glenoid fossa. I wrote about it in some depth HERE, and Mike Reinold and I spent quite a bit of time on it in our Optimal Shoulder Performance DVD set.
Of course, if you compare the perturbations to stability that the Bodyblade provides, it appears to simulate some of what you’d get with a rhythmic stabilization drill. So, it’s probably a good alternative to a pitcher who doesn’t have a training partner, therapist, or coach who can provide those destabilizing torques. Shirts, apparently, are optional.
That said, to me, using a Bodyblade is a more closed-loop (predictable) drill, whereas manual rhythmic stabilizations are more open-loop (unpredictable). So, it goes without saying that the benefits of “surprise” stabilization probably extend a lot further – and they don’t cost a penny. Moreover, I’ve heard claims about the Bodyblade being an effective way to build muscle, which (outside an untrained population) just isn’t going to happen. There are also much better ways to train the core.
Very good post. We’ve been doing stabilization drills for shoulder rehab for years with a DIY-Bodyblade. 3/4″ PVC pipe filled with sand and capped on the ends.
Interested in the whole warmup process for Trevor Bauer- a combo of long toss and dynamic movements-what do you feel is the best dynamic warmup before pitching?
We don’t have the Bodyblades here in Finland, but we use a similar kind of equipment called the Flexi-Bar. From the videos I looked up it looks a bit “easy” compared to the Flexi-Bar. Correct me if I’m wrong but the Bodyblade is flat and so for it only creates one-dimensional movement (vibration)? Where as the Flexi-Bar is round and creates vibration in 3D, especially if it gets out of control. If you use the Bodyblade (but are unaware of the Flexi-Bar) and are programming of rhytmic stabilizations, you should check out the Flexi-Bar.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:04 am
What do you think of bodyblades before a start? I’ve seen Trevor Bauer of UCLA use it as a way to warm up…
June 29th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Very good post. We’ve been doing stabilization drills for shoulder rehab for years with a DIY-Bodyblade. 3/4″ PVC pipe filled with sand and capped on the ends.
July 1st, 2010 at 8:56 am
Interested in the whole warmup process for Trevor Bauer- a combo of long toss and dynamic movements-what do you feel is the best dynamic warmup before pitching?
July 1st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Greta info, as always. Thanks.
BTW, how high was the wind blowing in your place the day that was filmed. Sounded like a class 2 hurricane!
July 1st, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I agree that the rythmic stabilization drills are way better. The body blade is more of a basic level exercise.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 am
We don’t have the Bodyblades here in Finland, but we use a similar kind of equipment called the Flexi-Bar. From the videos I looked up it looks a bit “easy” compared to the Flexi-Bar. Correct me if I’m wrong but the Bodyblade is flat and so for it only creates one-dimensional movement (vibration)? Where as the Flexi-Bar is round and creates vibration in 3D, especially if it gets out of control. If you use the Bodyblade (but are unaware of the Flexi-Bar) and are programming of rhytmic stabilizations, you should check out the Flexi-Bar.