By Thomas King, MSc, CSCS, CEP
With the COVID-19 related mandates, more and more of us are now working from home. In many cases, our at home set-ups for work may not be ideal (I know mine isn’t). You may be lucky enough to have a home office with a decent set-up but many others are likely working from the kitchen table or the living room couch.
These work set-ups are not optimal and make flexibility even more important during this time if you want to avoid a bad back or a stiff neck. Still going into work with your normal set-up? These stretches can benefit you as well.
Stretch 1: Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch With Opposite Side Reach
- Assume a “half” kneeling position with one foot forward and one knee on the floor. Place a cushion under the knee on the floor for added comfort.
- Tuck your hips posteriorly and engage the abs while simultaneously engaging the glute muscle on the same side as that which is on the floor.
- Reach upwards and away with the same arm as the kneeling side.
- Hold for 20 seconds and switch sides. Repeat 3 times.
Stretch 2: Wall Hamstring Stretch
- Lie on the floor next to a door that will allow the necessary space to perform the stretch (See picture).
- Lift one leg against the doorframe and attempt to get it as flat to the frame as possible.While doing this, keep your back and neck flat to the ground. Do not let your hips rise from the floor.
- Hold for 20 seconds and switch sides. Repeat 3 times.
Stretch 3: Wall Corner Chest Stretch
- Find a corner in the wall of your house with enough space to work in (See picture).
- Hold both arms up with your shoulders and elbows both at 90-degree angles.
- Allow yourself to “sink” into the wall until you feel a stretch in your chest.
- Hold for 20 seconds, rest and repeat 3 times.
Stretch 4: Spider-Man with Chest Opening
- Take a push-up position on the floor.
- Bring one foot up and to the outside of you hand. Only go as far as you can while keeping the foot flat.
- While holding this position, take the same-sided arm and reach upwards opening up the chest.
- Hold for 20 seconds and switch sides. Repeat 3 times.
Stretch 5: Cat/Cow
- Assume an all fours kneeling position on the floor.
- For the “cat” position, tilt the hips anteriorly while pushing the bellybutton as close to the floor as possible. Hold for 5 seconds.
- For the “cow” position, push the center of your chest as high as possible while allowing the hips to tuck into a posterior tilt. Hold for 5 seconds.
- Alternate between positions for 6-8 Rounds
Try this stretching routine once or (if you are feeling stiff) twice per day over the next couple of weeks. Trust me, your body will thank you for it!
~Thomas 🏋️♀️
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