Three Best Moves for Everyday Tasks

Hey everyone! Today, I want to share something that has completely transformed the way I approach fitness and everyday movement: the art of moving your body effectively and safely. It's not just about sweating it out in the gym; it's about learning to move in a way that supports and enhances your daily life. "Most people think a workout is for sweating and pumping your muscles and burning calories," but I’ve learned that it's really about functional fitness—preparing your body for the everyday demands life throws at you.

The first move I want to talk about is the "Frog Hip Hinge." It's a fundamental movement that mimics how you should be picking things up off the ground—using your big muscles to protect the smaller, more vulnerable ones. Here’s how you do it: "Start by taking a nice wide stance over whatever it is you're trying to pick up, and your toes should be turned outward." This creates space for your hips to move freely. Ensure your knees point the same direction as your toes to avoid putting stress on your knees. The real trick is to shift your weight onto your heels, engaging your glutes, which are some of the strongest muscles in your lower body. "We push the butt back, we inhale as we go down, and we tighten our core."

The second essential move is the "Sit to Stand." This isn't just about getting up from a chair; it's about maintaining your independence as you age. The technique is similar to the Frog Hip Hinge but involves a narrower stance. "You’re going to press into the heels and lean your body forward first," using your core and glutes to rise. This helps reduce knee pain and improves your ability to perform everyday tasks like climbing stairs or walking around your home.

Now, let’s talk about a more dynamic move: the "Burpee Walk Out." Perfect for strengthening your core and enhancing your mobility, this exercise starts with a hinge from your hips. Place your hands on a surface, walk your feet back into a plank, and make sure to engage your core to prevent your back from sagging. "Walk back, stand up, and then reach for the sky." It’s a fantastic way to maintain full range of motion in your shoulders and strengthen your core.

So, why focus on these movements? "It’s important to learn how to move your body better because when you move your body better, you feel better in your body." These exercises are about more than just fitness; they’re about enhancing your quality of life, making everyday activities easier and preventing injuries.

Implementing these movements into your routine doesn’t have to be daunting. Start by incorporating them a few times a week, maybe even as a break during your workday. The key is consistency. "Doing like 10 of these twice a day," especially with the Frog Hip Hinge, can make a significant difference in how your body feels and functions.

And remember, it’s not just about doing the movements; it’s about doing them with good form. This ensures that you’re truly benefiting from the exercises and not inadvertently causing stress to your body.

For those of you interested in further personalizing your workout routines to include these and other tailored movements, check out the link below for a free trial of our customized workouts. We focus on creating workouts that adapt to your needs and help improve your functional fitness.

In conclusion

Embracing these foundational movements can drastically improve how you move and feel every day. It’s not about lifting the heaviest weights or running the fastest; it’s about preparing your body to handle life’s many physical demands with ease and confidence. Give these moves a try, and I guarantee you’ll start to see the benefits in no time. Happy moving!