“Schooooools out for summer…”
So here we are in the middle of the summer regardless of whether the weather is our friend or not! Here are some of my current favourite exercises to keep our bodily parts more limber and lithe.
Give them a go to uncover possible imbalances between your left and right sides and to compare any disproportion between your arm and leg strength and flexibility.
Thigh and buttock strengthening
Squat down by moving bum backwards
Move one leg out to the side and back in
Alternate legs
Feel work in thighs and buttocks
Relax shoulders, breathe!
Buttock, calf, shoulder and arm exercise
Keep back knee straight, lean into front knee
Stretch rear calf
Lengthen spine, squeeze bum
Swing arms back, forwards and over head slowly
Relax shoulders, breathe!
Buttocks for Britain!
Place hands just in front of shoulders
Clench buttocks
Raise upper body up and hold
Relax shoulders, breathe!
Bum and arm strengthening
Move one leg sideways, slowly lift and lower
Keep supporting thigh perpendicular to floor
Slowly raise and lower opposite arm
Shoulders away from ears, breathe!
Have fun with the suggestions that are here. Don’t feel down hearted if you find them unduly hard or challenging. Embrace the fact that you still have the will to want to invest in your body and celebrate the fact that you are trying out something new or different to your usual activities.
Take your time to improve in terms of number of repetitions or how long you can hold a position. Rushing or forcing yourself to do more than you are ready for, is the enemy of balanced health. Pacing yourself and listening to your body will reap the rewards in the long term.
So here’s to a long summer of consistent well placed opportunities of healthy investments in preparation for the autumn term! Enjoy!