Get Ready for Spring

It was a warm week! As spring is in the air I thought that I would write my blog about the best stretches to get ready for the coming of spring.   As the weather turns warmer and we shed our winter coats for spring jackets it is a natural instinct to get out and move more often.  Adding more exercise into your life no matter how old you are will bring better sleep, improved outlook, strength and stability and weight management.  It is important to ease into your activities gradually to prepare your body for increased exercise as opposed to jumping right in—especially if you are over 50.

Make sure your body is warm before doing these stretches by going for a easy 10 minute walk or doing a walking march at home before trying them.

Leg Stretch

Benefits of the exercise:

• Eases tension in the front of the leg and hip

Tips:

• Keep a tall spine
• If it feels too easy use a harder band or make it shorter
• Do 10-15 repetitions on either side

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Shoulders and Side Stretch

Benefits of the exercise

• Stretches the shoulder and abdominal muscles

Tips:

• Relax your shoulders and keep your core tight
• Try to keep your arm close to your ear

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Standing Chest Stretch

Benefits of the exercise

• Ease shoulder pain and improve posture

Tips:

• Keep your back flat and relax your neck
• Your should feel the stretch in the front of your shoulders
• Hold for 1 minute

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Hamstring Stretch

Benefits of the exercise:

• Flexibility in the back of the leg which will ease lower back pain

Tips:

• Keep your back and extended leg straight

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Good Luck!

Erin

Vintage Fitness

Click to Call    416-951-7978

Vintage Fitness is an in home personal training company in Toronto, Canada.  We specialize in energizing the lives of people over 50 with exercise.