Quick Test: How Flexible Are You?
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
January 29, 2023 — If there was ever a good example of the phrase “Use it or lose it”, it would be how flexible you are. You might not do that great on this simple 5 part flexibility test, but the good news is that if you work at it, you can get better. So you can look over your shoulder to see oncoming cars better, bend over to tie your shoes, walk a little faster, improve your balance, and maybe even get a little more zip on your pickleball overheads. Flexibility can also help with sleep and an overall better quality of life.
The NY Times interviewed experts in physical therapy to come up with its “Can You Pass This Flexibility Test” article. The tests are easy and quick, and will give you an idea of your flexibility and range of motion.
Comments on "Quick Test: How Flexible Are You?"
RichPB says:
Gee, must be pretty flexible. I can only do two of five, but with two total knee replacements and five collapsed lumbar discs, stenosis and severe arthritis all over, I'll take it. ? Or maybe this test wasn't meant for me. ? Take it to the limit whatever that is.
Admin says:
Slightly related to this, VBT (Vermont Bicycle Tours) posted an informative article on how to get ready for a biking trip (probably useful for any kind of outdoor adventure. See "How to Get Ready".
Daryl says:
About 6 months after dragging my husband to Silver Sneakers classes, he noticed a miraculous improvement in his golf swing and shoulder issues. Coincidence? It’s so hard to convert the unbelievers. There are plenty of online streaming classes and our location even had Zoom classes so the women could still chatter away together while avoiding Covid clustering. I also use favorite exercise DVDs when I don’t feel like going outside or being sociable. It all works. We both scored really well on the flexibility test, I only beat him because females are usually more flexible on the hip stretches and toe touches. Just make sure you “warm up” those muscles first by moving around before trying the stretches and don’t force it or you’ll be sorry later. And don’t be intimidated, you can improve at any age. You’ll be glad when you have to get down and reach under the bed to retrieve the latest item that rolled there.
Daryl says:
Sorry to be such a proselytizer, but if I had known about the dangers of prolonged sitting 20 years ago, I would have quit my IT job sitting all day staring into a computer screen and found something with more movement. Even teaching aerobics part time during the week didn't make up for the damage done by 8 hours a day chained to a desk in an office. I have more energy and flexibility now retired than I did back then, and feel younger.
BillyB says:
Kinda of Smile more. Am in Better Shape now than I was 20yrs. ago.
But, yesterday, did Laff at myself when I followed a Kid on a Gym machine
& he pressed 360 ibs. & I struggled to do120.
At least; I was old enough to Shave!!
RichPB says:
Just to substantiate what Daryl wrote above with a related example. "Just make sure you “warm up” those muscles first by moving around before trying the stretches and DON'T FORCE IT OR YOU'LL BE SORRY LATER." (Emphasis mine.) After both of my knee replacements (a year apart), I completely followed the physical therapist's regimen as I really wanted to quickly get through that difficult time. But I made the mistake of forcing beyond reasonable physical limits (in two different ways) and ended up extending my recovery time by an extra painful week (the time before I could get back to routine). That extra little oomph isn't necessary and can be very problematic. And yes, those were both stretches.