At the gym, we often perform exercises in straight lines, like lifting a bar straight up, right? Our feet are generally even and parallel.
All that’s great, but it’s not enough, since we don’t move like that in real life – just straight forward/back and up/down. Usually, we’re on one foot and moving to the other, or we’re in a split stance – and rotating through the hips, shoulders, and thoracic spine.
It’s the rotation that is too often neglected in workouts. And after age 50 or so, we need to really give attention to our rotation and other mobility issues. Most people exercise to enjoy their favorite activities – like golf or tennis – and the challenges of daily life – such as putting away the groceries.
That means rotation, rotation, rotation.
We’re not kangaroos, after all! Or mummies walking stiffly straight ahead.
Even as you walk, your hips (ball and socket joints) and your shoulders (the body’s most mobile joint) should be rotating, swaying back and forth. If they’re not, your gait might mirror that of a mummy.
That’s not a good look. It’s not efficient. And it causes more physical problems down the movement line.
Every joint in your body requires both mobility and stability. If they’re too tight to do that, other parts of the body chip in, causing stress or injury.
Talk to us about this. We’ll show you some essential rotational exercises like a lunge with a chopping motion, or a kneeling woodchopper. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? It is – and it’s super-important to keep smooth, natural rotation through your core and shoulders.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.