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Stretching and flexibility

11 replies

ijustneedtokeepbreathing · 01/09/2024 09:54

I am trying to regain fitness after a tough few years 😢. I'd like to start by building a simple 10 to 15 mins of stretching into my day, to start to regain some flexibility.

Any recommendations for an app or programme or YouTube video to use at home? Thank you!

OP posts:
BloodyHellBob · 01/09/2024 10:30

Caroline Girvan does quite a good stretch video on YouTube.

ijustneedtokeepbreathing · 01/09/2024 12:41

Thank you, I will check her out.

OP posts:
YellowAsteroid · 04/09/2024 23:15

I don't think you need to follow a set routine: stretching & mobility is very personal, and should be in response to
a) what you do for the rest of your day
b) what your goals are

So my mobilising before a gym session in the morning when I know I'm going to lift heavy weights is different from my mobilisation before a 90 minute ballet class in the evening.

And my stretching after each of those sessions is different.

Focus on mobility rather than stretching or flexibility: stretching works by breaking tiny tiny muscle fibres under full range of motion / stress and the idea is that as they heal, your muscle lengthens.

Mobility is what you need to start with: a focus on getting the large muscle groups moving. You should always do a literal warm up - raise your body temperature - first. 5 minutes of walking vigorously or very gentle running (on the spot if necessary) or maybe 20 burpees.

Then think about mobilising the torso - forward roll of the spine (keep the knees soft or bent), sideways twists each way, sideways bends to reach your hand down your thigh/to the side of your knee.

Then think about your shoulders - shoulder rolls and arm swings.

Ditto legs - leg swings - forwards, backwards, sideways.

Circle your hips each way. Raise your knees to your chest.

Rotate your ankles, and think about "doming" your feet to work your insteps & arches (look on YouTube for demonstrations of doming - ballet dancers do it to gain strength in their feet.

Work up or down your body, mobilising each part.

Seated stuff can include deep static lunges, and the 90 degree "knee box" mobilisation for your hips - again, search YouTube for demonstrations.

Go by how your body feels - I always need to do the yoga Plough, and mobilise my hips in various ways as I spend about 10 hours a day at my desk.

BogRollBOGOF · 05/09/2024 19:01

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa4p3v2FWEhxFny4dXuWRxTb8W5qjs5Kx&si=hvYYLSFjZ6U3wuIr

I really like this yoga series. It's short (10 mins) with consistent length videos, and works well for mobilising in the morning.

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa4p3v2FWEhxFny4dXuWRxTb8W5qjs5Kx&si=hvYYLSFjZ6U3wuIr

parkrun500club · 06/09/2024 16:27

I use the Dynamic Runner app for daily stretching and mobility sessions. You don't have to be a runner to use it. But I agree that it's a bit of a blunt instrument and doesn't always fit in with the rest of the activities I have that day. It costs £67 a year.

If you can afford it there are two excellent apps called Livinleggings and Elevate with Charlotte which offer mobility workouts. But they are quite expensive. There is a bit on Youtube though: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgWQTkge37gJK8vZJfLcBKw

I subscribed to Charlotte's for a month so I could teach myself a couple of her workouts so that's another option.

Deliciously Ella has an app which is on offer for £15 at the moment and has lots of pilates and yoga sessions on it.

Before you continue to YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgWQTkge37gJK8vZJfLcBKw

Startingagainandagain · 06/09/2024 19:48

Pilates is really good to improve your flexibility. It is better to do classes with an instructor though so you know that you are doing the movements correctly.

RayKray · 07/09/2024 06:35

Tom Morrison Simplistic Mobility Method.

YellowAsteroid · 07/09/2024 06:48

Oh yes, he's great. Follow him on Insta to get an idea of his approach.

ijustneedtokeepbreathing · 07/09/2024 21:01

Thanks very much everyone!

OP posts:
Dailyprocrastinator · 15/10/2024 16:52

I like Heather Robertson - she’s free on YouTube and has a whole section of mobility/active recovery workouts

hexsnidgett · 05/11/2024 19:50

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