An 81-Year-Old Trainer’s 5 Moves To Practice for Getting up and Down From the Floor This Holiday Season

Why Preparation Matters

As we engage in holiday activities such as playing with kids and opening presents, it's important to be confident in our strength, mobility, and flexibility. Harry King, an 81-year-old certified personal trainer, suggests that having a fitness program can help prepare us for these physical demands.

Strengthening our body, incorporating mobility exercises, and stretching can make movements like getting up and down from the floor easier. Our lower body, upper body, and core all play a role in these movements, so it's important to focus on quad and arm strength, hip mobility, and core strength for balance.

Recommended Exercises

To improve strength and mobility for getting up and down from the floor, Harry King recommends the following five moves: wall sits, lunges, dynamic stretches for hips, glutes, and hamstrings, push-ups and tricep push-ups, and planks.

Wall sits are a non-impact exercise that target the quads, which are important for getting up and down from the floor or out of a chair. Lunges engage multiple lower body muscles and mimic the motion of getting up and down.

Dynamic stretches for the hips, glutes, and hamstrings are beneficial for improving flexibility, joint range of motion, and overall mobility. These stretches warm up the muscles and reduce stiffness commonly associated with aging.

Push-ups and tricep push-ups strengthen the upper body, which is important for getting up off the floor or out of a chair. Building core strength through planks is also essential for maintaining balance and stability.

Start Your Holiday Strength Training

Now is the perfect time to start working on these exercises to improve your strength and mobility for the holiday season. If you're new to strength training, consider an inclusive workout space like Planet Fitness that prioritizes no judgments and accessibility.

Remember, it's never too late to start an exercise program. Start at your current level and gradually progress as you get stronger. By prioritizing your physical fitness, you'll be able to fully enjoy holiday activities with confidence and ease.