Can you think of the last time you woke up to stiff joints? How about experiencing a pulled muscle following physical activity? You are not alone if you find yourself questioning how to manage. An effective solution and a good place to start would be to begin implementing range of motion exercises.
Range of motion exercises are designed specifically to improve mobility of the joint. The benefits of such exercise consists of improving flexibility, reducing pain, increasing cardio capacity, and improving overall muscle strength. Range of motion exercises can slow down and sometimes even prevent certain diseases from progressing, such as arthritis.
There are a wide variety of range of motion exercises you may consider to target specific joints of the body. It is always a great idea to talk to a medical professional or even a personal trainer about options tailored to your needs. Check out the range of motion exercises listed below that offer effective and easy ways to get started!
Standing Roll Down
- Stand up straight with feet facing forward
- Tuck your chin down slowly towards your neck
- Continue this flow by rolling your head, chest, and tummy down toward the floor. Keep in mind your back should round and your knees should not lock.
- Pause for a couple of deep breaths and then slowly roll back upward until you are standing straight again.
Arm Circles
- Stand up tall and extend arms out to each side, making them parallel to the ground.
- Begin to move both of your arms in a circular motion forward.
- Focus on 12 circular movements going forward, and then switch to 12 circular movements going backward.
