As we get older, the muscles that enable us to bend over and stand up again tend to shorten and tighten, and we feel stiff and sore. Health and fitness expert, Dr Garry Egger, demonstrated a simple flexibility test, as well as some stretching exercises to help keep our muscles flexible. Garry said that stretching is often the forgotten part of exercise, but if you build it into your daily routine you will reap the benefits.

Simple flexibility test

1. Sit down on the floor keeping your legs straight.
2. Reach as far forward as you can towards your toes without bending your knees, and without feeling any pain.
If you can reach to your toes or past your toes you are quite flexible. However, 80-90% of people can only reach the knees or just past the knees.

Warning: do not do this exercise standing up, because you will put extra pressure on your back. If you have back problems do not attempt to do this exercise.

Stretching Exercise 1:

1. Put one leg out in front of the other, with the toe bending back towards you.
2. Keeping that knee straight, slowly bend forward (but not to the point of pain).
3. Hold that position for 10-15 seconds, then relax.
4. Repeat with the other leg.

Stretching Exercise 2:

1. Put one leg up on a chair, with the toe bending back towards you.
2. Keeping that knee straight, stretch forward (but not to the point of pain). Hold for 10-15 seconds, then move back into the relax position.
3. Stretch forward a little further (again not to the point of pain). Hold for 10-15 seconds again, then back into the relax position.
4. Repeat with the other leg.

Further information

Dr Garry Egger started GutBusters, a scientifically based program which uses waist measurement, not weight, as an indication of fat loss in men. To contact GutBusters phone 1800 674 688, or visit their website: http://www.gutbusters.com.au

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