How many of our readers state they want to “strengthen your core” or have a better posture? There are many exercises for this and here are some of my favorites. Try to do these exercises at least three times a week.
1. Sit to Stand: Strengthens thighs, hips, glutes and core. Sit on steady chair with feet flat on floor, about the width of the chair. Cross your arms or put arms straight out.
Try to stand up using your core muscles. Sit back down and repeat.
2. Sit & Stretch: Sit with feet flat on floor and width of chair. Reach open arm across back of chair grabbing the chair. Use opposite arm reaching across your body and feel the stretch.
3. Stand: Behind the chair, one foot flat, raise other foot to knee height (if possible). Hold for 10 seconds – using the top of chair for balance if needed. Reverse with the other foot and knee.
If you’re able to do this exercise without holding onto top of chair for balance, all the better.
4. Ball or Water Bottle: Place hand on each side of the bottle or ball, bring item over to one side, then center, then other side. Do 10 times. You can sit or stand for this exercise.
5. Broom or Mop: Hold in one hand placing top of broom or mop on floor, elevate opposite foot to knee level, hold for 10 seconds for balance. Repeat with opposite foot, switching broom or mop to other hand.
6. Raising Broom or Mop: Lay the item across your arms into the crook of your elbow. Raise the item up to shoulder level. Do 10 times.
All these exercises are beneficial to better balance and strengthen your core. The stronger our core is, the better for balance, better breathing and better posture. Good luck and remember: Positive attitude and good health to all!
