Learning the Right Moves

The following exercise techniques are arranged in a suggested order of performance. They progress from simple stretches to basic weight-bearing exercises involving large elastic bands that can be purchased very inexpensively from most any retail store (Walmart, Kmart, Magicmart, GNC, Sporting Goods Stores, etc.)

If you click on the name of the exercise beside the graphic, there is a video-clip link that will demonstrate in real time each exercise. However, please follow the written instructions for the NUMBER of repetitions and the time-interval to HOLD each repetition. The video-clips only demonstrate the proper FORM for each exercise, not the total amount of time or repetitions.

 

Neck Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Anterior Shoulder Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Lateral Shoulder Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Deltoid/Tricep Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 1-3 times per day

 

Shoulder Circles

Shoulder Circles W/Can

Slowly rotate backward, then forward, 5-10 repetitions each, 1-3 times per day

 

Chest Stretch

Lean into door until you feel a stretch. Hold 10-60 seconds. Repeat with hands in different position to vary the stretch. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Pendulum Exercise

Repeat circular patterns clockwise and counterclockwise. 20-50 repetitions.1-3 times per day. Add small weights (cans) as you progress

 

Wrist Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Waist/Back Stretch

Bend without allowing hips to move, feel stretch of upper back. Hold 10-60 seconds, 1-3 times per day

 

Lower Back/Pelvic Stretch

Hold each postition 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day

 

Back/Shoulder Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day.

 

Flank Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions per day.

 

Chair Bends

Hold 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions, 1-3 times per day.

 

Side Bends

Hold each side 10-60 seconds. 5-8 repetitions per day.

 

Prone Back Stretch

Hold 1-5 minutes, 3-5 repetitions, 1-3 times per day.

 

Floor Back Twist

Hold each side 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Bench Bar Twist

Hold each side 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

Lumbar Floor Stretch

Tighten abdominal muscles, squeeze buttock muscles, and flatten back, then rotate tailbone backward/upward and arch back. Hold 10-60 seconds each position, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Forward Lunge

Eventually knee should touch floor (work up to this). Hold forward position 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Thigh Stretch

Hold each side 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Leaning Flank Stretch

Lean hip toward wall, while leaning trunk away from wall. Hold 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Floor Hamstring Stretch

Hold knee stable, pull ankle toward chest. Hold 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Sitting Hamstring Stretch

Relax, let leg straighten, then lean forward with back straight. Hold 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Upper Back Strengthening

Anchor band to solid object, Squeeze shoulder blades together. Hold 3-7 seconds, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Shoulder Flexor Strengthening

Hold 3-7 seconds, slowly lower. 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Tricep Strengthening

Hold 3-7 seconds and slowly return, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Shoulder Abductor Strengthening

Raise arm over head as high as you can, hold 3-7 seconds, slowly lower, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Shoulder Lateral Rotators

Rotate arms outward, keep elbows bent, hold 3-7 seconds, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Biceps/Curls

Hold 3-7 seconds, slowly lower, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Tricep/Reverse Curl

Straighten bottom elbow, hold 3-7 seconds, slowly relax. 8-20 reps, 1-3 times daily.

 

Wrist Strengthening

Hold stick with weight or hammer in hand, let weight help turn forearm downward. Hold 3-7 seconds, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Simple Crunches

Reach toward knees and curl trunk, hold 3 seconds, 10-100 reps, 1-2 times per day.

 

Advanced Crunches

Cross arms over chest curl trunk upward, hold 3 seconds. 10-100 reps, 1-2 times per day.

 

Hip Flexor Strengthening

Anchor to solid object and ankle, face away from object, pull leg forward. Hold 3-7 seconds, slowly relax, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times daily

 

Hip Extensor Strengthening

Face object, lift leg backward, hold 3-7 seconds, slowly relax, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times daily.

 

Hip Abductor Strengthening

Raise hip to side, without letting come forward, hold 3-7 seconds, slowly relax, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Hip Adductor Strengthening

Cross leg in from of other leg, hold 3-7 seconds, slowly relax, 8-20 reps, 1-3 times daily.

 

Calf Stretch

Hold 10-60 seconds, 5-8 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Calf Strengthening

Hold 3-7 seconds, 8-50 reps, 1-3 times per day.

 

Quadricep Strengthening

Stand with back to wall (may place towel between back and wall) feet shoulder width apart and 18-24 inches from wall. Slowly slide down the wall as far as comfortable. Use chair for support if needed. Hold 3-5 seconds, 5-20 reps, 1-3 times per day