How a Roller Coaster Repairman Trains Core Strength and Balance

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It's all about your core. Here's how to train yours.

If you want to know what real-life strength and balance looks like, check out Jairo Meza, 37, the man in charge of maintaining the rides at Coney Island's storied Luna Park amusement park.

The golden rule of balance has nothing to do with your feet or legs. Instead, when Jairo Meza is 115 feet above the ground, walking along the slippery rails of Coney Island's vertigo-inducing Thunderbolt roller coaster, he focuses on his core, squeezing his abs. "When you walk any track, you tighten your abs and back in a way that your core is like a fifth limb," he says. "That gives you extra stability."

The Thunderbolt is 2,233 feet of track with steep twists and turns, including a full corkscrew. Meza walks it with his head on a swivel, just a light harness to catch him, looking for broken sensors and light bulbs. When he spots loose bolts along the Thunderbolt's side columns, it's more core. Meza climbs down the rails and sets his feet. Then he tightens his core and glutes again, plastering his torso as close to the coaster as possible. "You have to become one with the structure," he says.

To prep for it all, Meza trains like a rock climber, going to the gym a few times a week to do pullups in a variety of grip positions (underhand, overhand, palms neutral). To keep from losing core strength when the park is closed, he does all types of planks and other core exercises, along with 200 crunches. And before he scales any coaster, he says, he clears his head by taking several deep breaths. "You need a clear mind when you’re up there," he says.

To train your balance like a coaster walker, try resistance-band plank marches. Tie a looped resistance band to a pullup bar. With your back to the bar, grab the ends of the band. Step out for tension and extend your arms overhead. Tighten your abs and alternate lifting your feet off the ground. Work for 30 seconds, then rest 30 seconds. Do 3 sets.

This story originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Men's Health.

Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach.

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