It's time to get your lower body mobility on - and the best part is that you can do it anytime, anywhere. Exercises this week will obviously be targeted on the lower body but don't let that fool you - they play just as much a role in improving posture as the upper body exercises you saw in my last blog. It's all connected folks and you can't just work on one area and forget about the other.
Remember, these don't have to be done all at once. Feel free to break it up as the day goes. I have one client who is a nurse and she'll throw these in, in between seeing patients. Now, all the other nurses ask her what she's doing and join in on the mobility fun.
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE PART 2: LOWER BODY ROUTINE
Foot Roll:
*2 minutes per foot*
Grab a small ball like a lacrosse ball and with shoes off, slowly roll the ball back and forth, staying between the heel and ball of the foot
Repeat on the other foot
PIP'S TIP: If this is your first time doing this exercise, try sitting in a chair so you can easily release the pressure if it becomes too much
Standing Calf Raises/Toe Raises:
*1 set for 10 reps*
Stand with feet shoulder width and straight
Stand up on toes squeezing the calves
Slowly lower to the ground
Lift all of your toes and the balls of your feet off the ground without leaning back
Slowly lower toes and foot back on the ground
PIP'S TIP: Don't let your ankles move outward
Kneeling Hip Flexion/Extension/Lateral Flexion:
*5 reps for each of the 4 moves on each leg*
Take a half-kneeling position, with knees bent to 90 degrees
Lean forward with torso
Push hips back with torso facing toward the ground
Laterally tilt away from knee on the ground
PIP'S TIP: Keep the trailing leg's glute squeezed and spine long throughout the series
Seated Internal/External Rotation:
*5 reps for each way*
Sit with knees bent at 90 degrees and straight in front of the body
Rotate one knee inward without moving the rest of the body
Return to the neutral position with knees straight in front of the body
Rotate same knee outward without moving the rest of the body
Return to neutral position
Repeat steps 1-4 on the other leg
PIP'S TIP: Be sure to keep the rest of your body perfectly still
Seated Hip Flexion:
*10 reps for each leg*
Sit with knees bent at 90 degrees and straight in front of the body
On the first side, slowly lift whole foot off the floor without moving the rest of the body
Return to the ground
Repeat these steps on the other leg
PIP'S TIP: Don't lean forward or backward as your knee comes up
Want more strength and mobility tips? Check out my YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook pages for more!
ABOUT COACH MATT PIPPIN
Matt is a Strength and Mobility Coach with over 15 years experience in his field and has coached over a thousand professional, collegiate and everyday athletes with the goal to help them move, feel and perform at their highest level. He's incredibly passionate about bringing simple and effective online mobility training programs to everyone who wants to take control of their self care and make lasting change. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Certifications:
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Level 3: Fascial Stretch Specialist
Level 1: Institute of Motion Health Coach
Certified FRC Mobility Specialist (FRCms)
Level 1 Kinstretch Instructor
Weck Method Qualified