How flexibility exercises could be the missing link in your workout regime

Maximising your flexibility means you are likely to have less injuries, less pain, improved posture and balance, increased strength, and better physical performance. Flexibility – or how much your muscle can lengthen – significantly affects your overall mobility. Made up of your strength, coordination and balance, your mobility is simply the ability you have (or haven’t!) for your joint to move through a complete motion. If your joints do have a wide range of motion, you can enjoy optimal physical and functional performance with little pain and discomfort. Essentially, performing stretches allows you to be more mobile which is one of our main treatment goals.

So, here we share how you can improve your flexibility and what flexibility exercises can help.

Walking is an excellent low-impact activity that contributes to your overall health. It’s a free, social, flexible form of exercise that requires minimal equipment. Mobility is essential for reducing pain and inflammation in your joints. In fact, if you have knee, ankle or back problems, brisk walking every other day helps keep you mobile.

Tennis — a low-impact, individual sport — is a smash across all ages and abilities throughout Australia. Whether you compete at a club or join a friend for an afternoon game at your local park or sports centre, it is one of the country’s top ten activities. Plus, when a Grand Slam is broadcast on TV, Aussies love to hit the courts too.
So, if you’re inspired to play tennis this summer, here’s our advice on how to reduce your risk of injury as you play.

It’s not new news that regular exercise is a critical component to manage your health and wellbeing. Yet, it can be the first ball to fall as life becomes a juggle. So, instead of giving up your exercise routine completely, consider a total body workout solution instead. These five sports deliver a whole body tune up in one go.

To exercise at home by yourself, try self-limiting exercises. They require minimal coaching and promote good posture, strength, control … and your body tells you immediately if your technique is wrong through fatigue or discomfort. Check out these ideas!

If you suffer from regular pain or tightness in your body, home remedy can be your first port of call to give yourself immediate relief. The latest trend in therapeutic relief is a massage gun – a tool developed to relax muscle tightness and help improve blood flow. The question is: are they a good idea?

The alarm goes off at 6am. “I don’t feel motivated to work out,” you tell yourself. Before you know it, you’ve missed – no, you’ve chosen – not to do your morning exercise.
The truth is, motivation is something that is innate to the human condition.  In fact, the more motivated we are, the more our wellbeing benefits. Here’s how to keep motivated with three easy tips!

Whether it’s backyard cricket, horsing around in the pool with the kids, or a round of golf with mates – participating in any activity without regular ‘match fitness’ can leave you susceptible to injury. As with swimming, golf is an excellent low impact activity for everyone. It gets you out into the fresh air (which helps reduce stress and anxiety whilst boosting your mental alertness) and incorporates incidental gentle walking between greens. If you have a round of social golf coming up, check out how you can reduce your risk of tweaking a niggle and instead focus on a legendary hole in one. (We’ve no tips for the latter!)

ycling is a great all-rounder to add to your exercise regime. It improves your strength, balance and endurance. It can help you build muscle, burn calories, and really get your blood pumping – reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

The bonus? Cycling is a mental wellbeing booster. Not only does it combine physical activity with the outdoors and beautiful scenery, it’s a social sport that encourages you to team up with some mates and ride together. You could even squeeze in a stop at a café for a second breakfast and a chat during your workout!

Tips for adding running to your exercise routine Hands up if you’ve muttered this phrase: “I’m not much of a runner.” That might be true. Right now. But did you know that regular running is a great way to improve your physical and mental health?  An aerobic exercise, running can reduce stress, improve your heart health and alleviate depression. It can be a sport that’s hard to get into as it can take time to