You are here

Exercises for Mobility and Functional Strength

How to Do My Favourite Squat For Better Balance, Hip Mobility, and Leg Strength at Any Age

One of the most effective ways of maximizing our longevity is to maintain optimal balance, leg strength, and hip mobility - this is a quick look at my favourite exercise that allows us to improve and maintain all three. Read more

 

A Simple Hip Opening Movement - Helpful For Preventing Hip Dysfunction and Degeneration

Just as we can improve shoulder mobility by extending our arms upward while keeping them in the same plane as our trunk, we can improve hip mobility with a similar setup. Read more

 

3 Stretches For Better Hip Mobility

The idea is to take our hips through internal rotation, external rotation, and then a deep general stretch that includes the glutes and the connective tissue fascia that ties in with the lower back.

All 3 stretches can be held for as long as is comfortable. Read more

 

An Introduction to 90/90 Hip Mobility Exercises

90/90 hip mobility work is highly effective for improving functional range of motion of your hip joints.

Before beginning 90/90 work, I suggest warming up your spine, particularly your lower spine, as sitting in the 90/90 position can put some strain on your spine and surrounding soft tissues, and thoroughly warming up your back will decrease risk of straining muscles and ligaments in and around your spine. Read more

 

Variations of Squats to Improve Balance, Core Strength, and Lower Body Mobility

A deck squat is the name for the movement pattern of rolling gently onto one's back, then using the momentum of rolling forward into a body-weight squat. Read more

 

Negative Body Levers to Develop Core Strength

If you feel comfortable with basic plank poses, side twists, arches, and crunches, to further develop functional core strength, you can add negative body levers to your training routine.

You'll need a comfortable surface to lie back on - a yoga mat or gym mats work well - as well as a strong anchor point that you can secure your hands on behind your head. Read more

 

Daily Release For Tight Hips

For those looking to address or prevent hip pain and stiffness without having to get on the ground, this is a simple and highly effective way of improving hip health daily. Read more

 

Controlled Articular Rotations While Standing

Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) are a staple of Functional Range Conditioning, a system of improving human mobility taught by Dr. Andreo Spina.

For those who have trouble getting to the ground to exercise, this video provides a look at some CARs that one can do while standing.

As you should do with all exercises, please be mindful of breathing regularly and deeply as you do CARs. You can linger in areas where you feel some stickiness. Read more

 

Juggling and Balance Exercises

Here are some other balance exercises from our YouTube video library:

Variations of squats:
https://youtu.be/ISSnfN9Eulc

Purposeful movement for balance:
https://youtu.be/6DrRRS1H7UI

Deep squat for balance:
https://youtu.be/_r8i_T5Dr1M Read more

 

Basic Plank Core Exercises Using an Exercise Ball

For more mobility videos, please visit our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/drbenkim Read more

 

Pages

 
 

Join more than 80,000 readers worldwide who receive Dr. Ben Kim's newsletter

Receive simple suggestions to improve your health and mobility, plus alerts on specials and giveaways at our catalogue.