Flexibility exercises involves stretching, loosening up and
bending. These exercise helps muscles and joints to perform their full range of
movement with suppleness and ease and help to reduce stiffness and keep your
joints flexible.
It's never too late
to start exercising. Even old people can get stronger, improve their moods and
reduce the risk for serious illness by putting more activity in to their daily
lives. If you are out of shape, always check with your doctor before beginning
any exercise programme. Try out these simple exercises.
Calf Stretch
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Stand at an arm's length away from a wall.
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Place your palms flat against the wall.
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Extend your right leg behind you 2 to 3 feet and
press your right heel to the floor.
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Keep both heels flat against the floor.
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Hold, relax.
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Repeat with the left leg.
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Quad stretch
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Stand with your right hand resting on a chair or
a table for support.
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Bend your left leg behind you.
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Grip the top of your left foot with your left hand
and slowly pull the heel toward your rear until you feel a stretch
in your quadriceps (front thigh). Be sure to keep your hips
and knees aligned, and don't lock the knee of your supporting
leg.
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Hold, relax, and repeat with your other leg.
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Hamstring stretch
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Loop a towel or rope under the arch of your
foot and lie flat on your back, legs straight out on the
floor.
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Keeping your knees straight pull your left leg off
the floor until you feel a stretch. Be sure to keep your back
pressed to the floor throughout the stretch.
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Hold, then repeat with your other leg.
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Lower Back Stretch
Don't do this exercise if you have radiating leg pain.
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Exercise for the Lower
Body
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Inner thigh lift
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Lie on your right side, boosting your upper body
on your right elbow and supporting your head on your hand.
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Bend your left leg, placing your foot flat
on the floor, keeping your right leg extended and slightly forward.
Using your inner-thigh muscles, lift your right leg toward the ceiling
at least 6 inches.
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Hold, and then slowly lower.
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Repeat on the other side.
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Outer Thigh lift
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Lie on your right side, boosting your upper body
on your right elbow and supporting your head on your hand.
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Extend both legs so that they are in line with
your body.
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Slowly lift your top leg to form an 80-degree
angle, and then lower.
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Repeat on the other side.
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Abdominal Crunch
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Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the floor
an shoulder-width apart.
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Lightly support your head with finger tips, elbows
out.
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Raise your head, shoulders, and upper back a few
inches off the floor.
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Put your chest forward and keep your eyes on the
ceiling. Do not crane your neck forward when you lift. Keep about
a fist-size space between your chin and chest.
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Come up about 30 degrees, hold and then
slowly lower yourself back down. Don't let your upper back rest
on the floor and return to the starting position.
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Seated Leg Lift
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Wearing ankle weights, sit on a chair or bench with
your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Grasp the sides of
the chair for balance if needed.
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Slowly lift your left foot until your calf is in
the line your thigh.
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Hold, and then slowly lower.
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Repeat with your other leg.
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Note : All statements given are only for information purpose. We are not responsible or liable for any problems related to the utilization of information on this site. We suggest that you consult a qualified doctor before trying any alternative health care remedies.