4 Little Things You Can Do to Help Stay Flexible

Everyone has their fitness goals. Some of us want to run ultra-marathons. Some of us want to be able to lift our own body weight with ease. Some of us just want to keep in shape for health reasons.

Whatever your fitness goal, staying flexible is a big part of that. It’s also valuable for your long-term health. Keeping your body flexible makes you less vulnerable to creaky joints and pains as you age. Not only are you making it easier to achieve your fitness goals, but you’re also looking after your body. It will thank you for it in the long run.

So what can you do to stay flexible? There are some simple adjustments you can make to your routine that can help with flexibility. Here are a few top suggestions:

1) Get a Sit Stand Desk

A sit-stand desk has an adjustable platform that allows you to work either sitting or standing. When you’re working, you tend to sit in one pose for a long time. Many people sit hunched over and with their legs tucked under the desk. While standing and working on a computer is a novel idea to some people, it’s much better for your joints to adjust your pose.

Using a sit-stand desk help give your joints relief from one pose and improves your flexibility. When your back becomes used to the slightly curved shape it takes on when sitting, it makes straightening up ache. Likewise, when your knees hurt after sitting for a long time, it’s because they’ve become accustomed to one position. If you want to stay flexible, a sit-stand desk can help.

By altering your pose while working, you keep your joints supple. Finding the best sit stand desk for your needs will help you stay flexible to achieve your fitness goals better.

2) Get Serious About Stretching

Stretching is a vital part of any exercise. However, it’s a means to an end for some people—a sideshow to the real exercise.

This misconception isn’t the case. Stretching helps improve flexibility and tone muscles. It’s a crucial part of reaching your fitness goals and staying flexible. Take stretching as seriously as you would take a regular workout or any other form of exercise—you’ll quickly see the difference.

Even if you’re not planning on doing a full workout that day, stretching can be its own ‘set.’ Spend half an hour focusing on how to best work each muscle, and your flexibility will increase by the day.

3) Practice Sitting Positions

Ever sat cross-legged and found yourself cramping up? Small amounts of regular practice will help with that. Even if you can’t quite manage the lotus position, help yourself stay flexible by sitting in positions that seem uncomfortable.

Your body resists what it’s not used to, but incremental changes will improve flexibility in the long run. Nobody meets their fitness goals by staying within their comfort zone.

4) Stay on Your Feet

In the same way that a sit-stand desk helps you stay supple at work, moving around the house prevents cramping at home. Try not to spend hours in one position on the couch or in bed. Watching a film? Pause after an hour and stretch your legs. The little things help to keep the body flexible.

There are so many habits we get into that lead to our bodies seizing up. A sedentary lifestyle makes intensive exercise so much harder, which is demoralizing. If you want to stay flexible, healthy, and reach your personal fitness goals, take note of these bad habits, and tackle the problem head-on. Best of luck!