General Instructions
- Stretching should follow a three minute warm up - walk, cycle or jog
- Take several deep breaths expanding the diaphragm and chest
- Each stretch should be held for 20 seconds without causing pain
- Repeat each stretch three times on each side
- Fitness also includes strength, endurance, balance and co-ordination
- If you have joint problems see a doctor or physiotherapist first
Neck
1. Trapezius: Keeping shoulders down and level, stretch head to side. |
2. Neck Rotation: Slowly twist head to look over shoulder. |
3. Neck Retraction: Keep head level and gently push chin back. |
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Shoulders
4. Pectorals: Palm against wall at head height, twist body away. |
5. Hands on desk, bend head and shoulders down and forward. |
6. Lying on front, keep legs straight up and arch backwards. Look up. |
7. Rotator Cuff: Forearm over the opposite shoulder, push elbow backwards. |
8. Aim to link hands behind back. |
9. Shoulder Flexors: Lock fingers stretch arms down and back. |
Back
10. Side Flexion: Legs apart, bend sideways sliding hand down thigh. |
11. Rotation: Feet facing away and firmly planted, rotate to touch wall. |
12. Lying on back, legs bent and together, lower to side. |
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Hips and Lower limbs
13. Gluteals: Lie on back and bring knee over chest. Add pressure to opposite side. |
14. Ilio-Tibial Band: Sit with foot against oposite thigh. Pull knee to chest and keep back straight. |
15. Hamstring: Leg raised on bench, straighten leg and then back. Hips square. |
16. Iliopsoas. Push hips forward and down. Keep hips square and stomach tight. |
17. Quadriceps: Pull foot up behind. Push knee backward, keep belly sucked in. |
18. Adductors: Sit with soles of feet together and push knees to the floor. |
19. Gastronemius: keep leg straight while leaining hips forward. |
20. Soleus and Achilles Tendon: Bend knee forward and push latter down and forward. |
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