Right around the time I hit 40, I started making
flexibility and mobility a priority—and it’s made a huge difference in my overall fitness.
When I wake up now, I feel better and move with less pain, which makes me more active throughout the day. It’s also improved my strength by allowing me to get a better range of motion in key lifts, which has made me even stronger.
Plus, feeling good physically helps keep a more positive
mindset all day long.
One of the tightest areas for me has always been the hips. If you spend a lot of time sitting, you might feel the same way.
Sitting leads to tight hips, which messes up hip extension mechanics—this impacts so many athletic movements and can even cause back and knee pain.
One of the best stretches to open up your hips is the couch stretch:
THE COUCH STRETCH
- Stand in front of a couch or chair.
- Place your back knee on the couch/chair and your front foot on the ground.
- Press your back foot up against the couch/chair.
- Point your back toe.
- Squeeze your glutes—especially the one of the back leg—to stabilize your lower back and position the hip correctly.
- With the glutes squeezed, press the front of the hip toward the
ground.
- Hold for at least 60 seconds per side and aim to do it daily.
