How to become more flexible

Why do we lose flexibility?

We're born with pretty flexible tendons and joints - as anyone who's seen a baby happily nibbling on their toes can testify. But a few years down the line, most of us have already lost an amount of flexibility simply because we're not using our full range of motion. "We start losing flexibility as soon as we go to school and start sitting down more," explains physiotherapist Nell Mead. "If you don't use the filaments (stretchy material within your muscle) then they become shorter."

In addition, as we age our bodies naturally become less flexible. "As we age, our tendons, ligaments and muscles lose elasticity and stretch-ability," explains Karen Laing, instructor from Fit School.

Why is flexibility important?

In years gone by, it was believed that the more flexible you are, the better it is for your health. However, we now know it's possible to be too flexible. Flexibility is important as it allows us to do the things we need to do with our bodies - from tying our shoelaces to fastening our clothing. But too much flexibility, including in conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, may mean less control over the movement of our joints. "People who are hyperflexible might be more prone to arthritis because they have less control over the bones in their joints. People with too little are more prone to strains and sprains."

So how flexible do I need to be?

The amount of flexibility required varies from person to person. If you're hoping to take on some mountain climbing, you'll need a little more range than if you get your exercise through walking. Exercise aside, we all need to have the range of motion required to complete the daily tasks required of us.

If you've lost flexibility, whether through age, injury or insufficient stretching, you may find that you are unable to do a task that was previously in your range of movement. For example, struggling to fasten your bra, or clip your toenails.

One way of ensuring flexibility is maintained is through daily movement and stretching. "Try taking your body through its full range of motion every day. That could be just having a stretch; it could be doing a session of yoga, dance if that's what works for you. The full range every day because then you won't lose it," advises Mead.

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Becoming more flexible

As well as maintaining your existing flexibility, you may wish to develop more flexibility as part of a new exercise regime, to prevent injury and ensure ease of movement.

If you're starting something new, or finding movement a struggle, it's time to take action. The good news is that if you've lost filament through underuse you can rebuild it and increase your flexibility through stretching. You may find stretching exercises, such as the suggestions at the end of this piece useful. Or you may need to visit a doctor or physiotherapist for support.

"The differential here is pain," explains Mead. "If when you try to stretch into a position your arms or back feel sore, it's worth getting checked out as you may have an injury."

If you don't need medical treatment, there are many ways to increase your flexibility - through being mindful of your body and carrying out stretching exercises. The important thing here is ensuring you carry out any exercise in a careful and controlled manner in order to benefit fully.

Flexibility as part of your workout

If you simply want to improve or maintain your range of movement, the types of exercise you may want to turn to will differ depending on how you want to use your body. Laing recommends ensuring balance in the different exercises and movements we carry out as part of our fitness regime.

"It's about balance. Do you have the following as part of your regular activity programme?" she asks. Her list includes:

• Something to get your heart rate up regularly.

• Something that gets impact into your joints, like running or resistance training.

• Something that helps with your coordination like a specific class for older adults.

• A movement-based class like Pilates or yoga.

It's easy to neglect flexibility, but crucial to build it in to our everyday movement.

Exercises to help with flexibility

In order to improve flexibility, Karen Laing of Fit School recommends we try the following moves:

Side bends/reaches (lateral flexion)

Stand with your back against a wall. Reach your hand down the side of your leg as far as you can and return to standing. Repeat on the other side. You could also do this seated on a hard-backed chair.

Twists

You can do this movement standing or on a chair. Reach one arm behind you allowing your body to twist. To increase the range, look towards your arm as it reaches. If you have shoulder mobility issues then fold your arms across your chest and perform the twist this way.

Front and back bends (forward flexion)

A cat stretch is the easiest way to do this movement. From your hands and knees stretch your back up to the ceiling like an angry cat. Then reverse the move so your back drops to the floor. If your knees don't like this move, try a shoulder bridge instead. Lie on the floor with your feet under your knees and slowly roll your spine off the floor until you are in a bridge position, then return to the floor.