From primal workouts to added emphasis on being flexible, being mobile is the new fit trend – and for good reason.
“If we are not mobile enough, this may place a strain on various structures like joints and muscles. Think of a door with a stiff hinge: it takes a lot of effort to open and close the door,” says Jenny Kirkwood, a Cape Town-based physiotherapist. Take this mobility test and up your gains.
Test Your Hips
“We all sit down constantly, and this constant downward pressure on the hips causes the front hip flexors and hamstrings to become immobile,” says Matt Curran, trainer and co-founder of RipCore Calisthenics in Joburg. Get ’em moving and you’ll run faster and squat deeper.
The Test
1 Lie on the floor with your toes pointing upwards. Take a stretch band and wrap one end around your right leg and grab the other end with your hands.
2 Slowly pull the band, lifting your right leg up as far as it can go. Make sure your left leg stays flat on the floor. Stop when the left leg starts to lift. Your ideal mobility is a 90° angle with your legs.
Test Your Shoulders
Test Your Wrists
1 Stretch both arms out in front of you with your hands facing out, as though you’re pushing a door. Keep your elbows locked.
2 Try and bring your hands back towards your arm. Then try and bring them forward and down. Your ideal range of motion is a 70° angle, both ways.
Got weak wrists? Don’t panic… these 3 arm moves will sculpt (without adding pressure).