Sexy - Body Saturday....Toe Touch

Touch Your Toes With Ease

Why It's Good:

Forward- bending opens up the back of the body, including hamstrings, calves, and hips, making you more limber. A flexible body means less pain and fewer injuries, and makes it easier to handle everyday tasks like tying shoelaces.

Stretching maximizes the benefits of strength training and helps your muscles recover from exercise. Plus, these moves strengthen your thighs and abs, too, which will come in handy for other strengthening exercises.

Try stretching slowly and deliberately at least 3 days a week to enhance your range of motion and improve flexibility.

Get Started:

(image A)

Use a resistance band, rolled up towel, or belt

1) Lie on your back with both legs straight on the floor. Bend your right knee and put the center of the band around the ball of your right foot.

2) Holding on to both ends of the strap in your hands, straighten your right leg, foot flexed, and pull it toward your head. Let there be enough slack in the strap to fully straighten the leg. Flex both feet. Your gaze is straight up to the ceiling.

3) Gently create resistance with your band by pulling down to open the back of your leg. Raise your leg as far as comfortably possible. Hold for 30 seconds and carefully release. Your goal is to be able to hold your leg at a 90-degree angle (or even closer) to your upper body. Switch sides.

Make It Harder:

(image B)
1) Sit with both legs extended straight in front of you. Loop the strap around the balls of both feet. Sit up tall so your spine is straight and your chest is lifting. Flex your feet. Look forward at your toes.

2) Keeping your spine long, slowly begin to bend at your hips to bring your chest towards your knees, as close as comfortably possible. Choke up the band, moving your hands closer to your feet, as you become more flexible.

3) Hold for 30 seconds and release. Eventually, you’ll remove the strap and be able to reach your toes with your hands, but use the strap to help you along the way.

Try the Challenge:

1) Stand with your feet hip-distance apart. Bend your knees and tuck your chin into your chest to roll down your spine, folding forward. Touch your fingers to the floor in front of your toes and straighten your legs.

2) If you can’t reach your toes, bend your knees slightly and slowly work on straightening the legs. Hold for 30 seconds.