Flexibility isn\u2019t just about being able to touch your toes. It\u2019s about how well you can move your joints through their available range of motion and, perhaps more importantly, whether you can control your body while you\u2019re doing so. And that becomes increasingly important as we get older.<\/p>\n
While strength and cardio tend to steal the longevity spotlight, maintaining good mobility can help us keep doing the everyday things we often take for granted, from getting up off the floor and climbing stairs to simply moving around without feeling \u2018creaky\u2019.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n So, when I came across Women\u2019s Fitness and Transformation Coach J\u00fcrgen Sternad<\/a> demonstrating a slightly unusual mobility test on Instagram, which he claims only 1% of people can actually do, my competitive spirit lit up. Naturally, I had to give it a go.<\/p>\n The good news? I can do it. The slightly less good news? It was much harder than it looked.<\/p>\n What is the exercise?<\/p>\n At first glance, the move looks pretty fun and, when broken down into steps, somewhat straightforward. However, it requires a combination of hip and ankle mobility, balance, coordination and lower-body control, which is probably why it feels trickier once you actually attempt it.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n And while I\u2019d take that \u2018only 1% of people\u2019 statistic with a fairly large pinch of salt, the exercise itself is a useful test of how well your body moves.<\/p>\n As a personal trainer, I\u2019m a big believer in maintaining strength as we age, but mobility \u2013 especially dynamic mobility \u2013 deserves a place in our training too. After all, there\u2019s little point building a strong body if you can\u2019t move it freely.<\/p>\n Good mobility can also have a knock-on effect on how well you perform during exercise. Think better squat depth, a more natural running stride and joints that can move comfortably through their available range of motion.<\/p>\n It can also help support overall joint and muscular health, while maintaining the kind of movement and balance that could help reduce your risk of falling and leave you better able to get yourself back up if you do.<\/p>\n Can you do this exercise? <\/p>\n You can practise mobility pretty much anytime, anywhere, which is one of the reasons I like this move. You don\u2019t need any equipment, a gym or even much space \u2013 just a few minutes and a little patience.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n Can\u2019t do it yet? Break the movement down into steps and keep practising. Will Harlow,<\/a> an over-50s physio and Founder of Lifelong Mobility, recommends doing 10 minutes of mobility every morning, regardless of age, and especially if you\u2019re over 50.<\/p>\n According to Harlow, this can help \u201cloosen stiff areas, reduce aches and injury risk\u201d, while helping you continue to move freely as you age.<\/p>\n