5 stretches to strengthen and protect your body from sitting all day

Fitness expert, Brent Bishop shows us how to achieve the best stretches to live a healthy lifestyle.

Here is the run down about why it is important to always stretch.

We are born with great mobility, but at some point the demands of modern day life & work catch up that force us to sit more and move less. We need solutions to improve our health, reduce back pain and associated diseases found with hours of sitting.

Quick Facts/Background:

Excessive sitting can correlate to a 20% increased risk for cancer, heart disease and even premature mortality.  The increased risk of developing diabetes can be as much as a 90%. Studies show even those who exercises daily are susceptible. It is the frequency of movement within a 24hr period that is most important.

Key Tips:

Tip 1: Stand more (invest in a standup desk and/or set computer alarm reminders)

Tip 2: Set Movement triggers (i.e. stand every time you answer the phone)

Tip 3: Monitor Movement (activity tracker is useful here)

Tip 4: Train your backside

Tip 5: Stretch Regularly

Exercise Demos:

Demo 1: Lunge Stretch

Demo 2: Glute Stretch/Release with lacrosse ball

Demo 3: Scapular Release for upper back/shoulder mobility (with lacrosse ball)

Demo 4: Seated Neck/trap stretch (in chair)

Demo 5: Lying Pec Stretch (chest/anterior shoulder)

Props:

2x Yoga mats

2x Desk Chairs

2x Lacrosse balls