Introducing the Landmine Into Your Program

By James Thayer

James is an Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness, educator, presenter and Pre-Script Coach. He believes the best approach to learning is to engage, educate and empower individuals and communities. James utilizes coaching, programming, performance and movement proficiency to set a standard for conversation to application. 

INTRODUCING THE LANDMINE

Implementing a new training tool or piece of equipment into a training block can carry with it excitement at the prospect of change and new challenge. Ideally that excitement would be accompanied by consideration towards that implementation or it can quickly fall into nuance on the new, losing sight of the goal. The landmine attachment is one of those tools that is becoming a staple in most gyms and appearing more frequently in training programs.

The landmine is unique in that it allows the user to self-organize around an externally stabilized pivot point through both unilateral and bilateral loads. The anchored point of the landmine reduces stability demands allowing skill development to occur, building towards more internally stabilized variation of the same exercise. 

An example would be a limitation of stability during a single leg RDL. A modification could be adding a landmine for more stability through extending the base of support with an additional contact point at the anchor. Another advantage of self-organizing around the pivot point is the ability to train through different ranges of motion without having to manage the total weight through those ranges. Since the landmine attachment acts as an anchor point, weight is displayed at an angle offering the user maneuverability underload without having to manage the total weight of the bar and load. 

Whether you’re seeking a new challenge or modifications for your current exercise routine a landmine offers versatility and adaptability for long term progression.