The Importance of Improving Your Flexibility

And the exercises you can do at home.

Flexibility can sometimes be overlooked, but it’s a crucial part of wellness that impacts our everyday lives and future health. Pilates instructor Lottie Maynard @pilateswithlottie tells us why it’s so important to stay supple...

Why is remaining flexible so important in everyday life?
“Joseph Pilates said, 'You're only as young as your spine is flexible'. It's not about being able to do the splits but more about keeping your spine, muscles and joints mobile. Having a flexible spine will prevent injury. You'll be able to do day to day activities easier, for example getting changed in a really small space will be much easier and having flexible muscles will achieve full range of motion which improves performance in sports. Pilates and yoga are both great for flexibility and working on your core. They also compliment other more intense classes such as crossfit or strength training.”

What impact does flexibility have on other areas of your life?
“Immediately you will feel lengthened, taller and relaxed. And long-term, if you stretch your muscles as part of your routine it will keep your spine flexible and muscles stretched which prevents injury as we get older.”

What do you do to maintain your flexibility?
“I always stretch after I work out, even if it's for a few minutes. I have really tight hamstrings so I pay a lot of attention to them. I also love doing a pilates roll up, where you lie on the floor stretched out, and then roll yourself up to a seated position really slowly without using your hands to help. It keeps my spine mobile and I always feel really good afterwards.”

What are the best exercises to do at home?
“It depends on what your goal is. If it's to keep a mobile spine then doing a cat/cow is a great one – when you're doing it focus on only moving one vertebrae at a time so you're really articulating the movement. If it's a more specific goal, such as lengthening your hamstrings, when you're at home sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Bending at your hips (keep your back straight) try and reach your toes and hold. If you can't reach your toes, hold the part of your leg that you can get to, without rounding your spine, and hold for a few minutes. If you do this daily you will see such an improvement, and you will be able to reach further and further towards your toes until you can easily touch your toes. But once you have got to your flexibility goal don't stop, always be mindful of keeping yourself flexible, your future self with thank you for it!”

What goals can you set to become more flexible every day?
“Set yourself small goals like touching your toes with straight legs. And every day, or every other day, spend a few minutes after you've worked out (so your muscles are warmer) stretching and working towards the small wins. You will see an improvement and then you can set yourself another goal such as putting the palms of your hands flat on the floor with straight legs.”