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Properly prep your body for an upcoming workout with these must-do stability moves and mobility exercises.
Stability and mobility exercises seem to be having a moment and notjustfor athletes.
Photo: Getty Images
Ideally, you should be practicing both types of movement before every single workout.
But what is mobility, exactly, and how is it different than stability?
Boiled down to the basics, mobility helps your body function optimally.
So really, it doesa lot.
Essentially, mobility is ongoing, preventative maintenance for your entire body.
(BTW,here’s the difference between mobility and flexibility.)
Use this routine asa pre-workout warm-upor simply do them every day to improve your movement.
B.Shift shoulders an inch or two forward, feeling the stretch at back of wrists.
C.Shift back to the starting position, then lift palms while keeping fingers on the floor.
Lower back to starting position.
B.Press left palm into the floor at side and extend right arm in front of body.
That’s one rep.
Do 5 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
Slowly arch spine, lifting chest and tailbone while lowering bellybutton toward the floor.
(Wearing knee pads helps.)
C.Slowly rock hips forward and back.
Pull shoulder blades together, keeping spine neutral and elbows straight.
B.Actively press hands into the floor to open shoulder blades as wide as possible.
B.Inhale, then exhale to engage core and draw belly button toward spine.
Work to keep low back neutral (pressing into the floor).
Then, step left foot back and return to downward dog.
Continue alternating, straightening knees further with each downward dog.
Do 8 to 10 reps per side.
