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Exercises for Mobility and Functional Strength

A Simple Way to Improve Shoulder and Back Mobility

To improve shoulder and upper back mobility, lie face-up with your head slightly off the end of a bed and let your arms hang freely above your head.

Once you’re comfortable in this position, slowly take your arms through a small arc as though you are making a snow angel - you can do this several times to warm up your shoulder joints. Read more

 

Protect Your Back By Lengthening Your Hamstrings

Short hamstrings and even short calves can contribute to intermittent back pain and stiffness, as a shortened posterior chain creates a constant downward pull on the pelvis, predisposing the tissues that surround the spine to sprains and strains.

With most of us sitting for many hours each day with our posterior chain contracted, it's highly worthwhile to stretch the hamstrings and calves on a daily basis. Read more

 

For Foot Pain and Stiffness

In sharing a recent post on what to do for stiff hands, several readers asked for suggestions for foot pain and stiffness. I shared a short video on foot and toe exercises last week, which is re-posted below. Also embedded below is a video that demonstrates how another person can mobilize your feet. I hope these resources are helpful. Read more

 

Hand Grip Strength - One of the Best Indicators of Health-Related Quality of Life in Old Age

Over the past year, I've noticed an increasing stream of studies that point to hand grip strength as a strong indicator of health-related quality of life in old age. This aligns with mounting evidence that one of the best things we can do to preserve our health as we age is to develop and maintain muscle tissue and the physical strength that it affords. Read more

 

A Collection of Band Exercises to Improve Shoulder Mobility and Stability

This post offers a collection of my favourite band exercises for improving shoulder mobility and stability.

If you've dislocated a shoulder in the past, please be conservative with any exercises you try, and after clearing things with your physician, you might start with those that have your arms no higher than chest level. Over time, as your shoulders feel stronger and more mobile, you can gradually work your arms overhead. Read more

 

To Overcome Chronic Back Issues, Improve Spinal Mobility and Core Strength

For those looking to overcome chronic back pain and stiffness, it's helpful to alternate between core-strengthening and spinal mobility exercises. This video provides examples of how to alternate between variations of these two types of exercises.

For more ideas on core-strengthening exercises, please see:

Core-Strengthening Exercises Read more

 

Foam Rolling Routine

How to Foam Roll Your Lower Legs - Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Flexor Hallucis Longus, Tibialis Anterior, Peroneus Longus, Brevis, and Tertius, and Soles of Feet:

 

Standing Push-ups Using Gym Rings for Upper Body Mobility and Core Strength

If doing full body weight dips or push-ups close to the ground aren't possible for your current circumstances but you are still curious about using gym rings to improve your upper body and core strength, you can do modified push-ups on your rings as you are leaning slightly forward. Read more

 

Push-Up Progressions Using Gymnastics Rings

Doing push-ups with gymnastics rings is a challenging way to improve upper body strength while simultaneously improve core strength and balance.

Begin in a modified push-up position with your knees on the ground and your hands on gym rings.

At the top of the push-up position, with your arms straight, elbows locked, supinate your forearms, then allow your forearms to return to a natural position and lower yourself down to do a push-up. Read more

 

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