How to Improve Strength AND Flexibility (Ages 50+)

[@markumbers5362]

I had been trying to stretch my hamstrings to ease back pain for some time. My Physio then told me that increasing muscle size also lengthened that muscle. That was a real penny drop moment. These exercises are a perfect compliment to the ones she gave me. Thank you. Getting older and staying able bodied and pain and drug free can be a real challenge. A proper work out each morning doing these type of exercises works well for me.

[@jacksseawheeze2911]

If that were the case then body builders would be the most flexible of people, but most are the complete opposite!

[@Whydoyoubanothers]

​@@jacksseawheeze2911The idea is to hold while the muscle is in the stretched position, most body builders don't do that.

[@jacksseawheeze2911]

@@Whydoyoubanothers I’m aware of that, the comment that I was replying to said that increasing muscle size also lengthened that muscle, and that’s not true!

[@markumbers5362]

@@jacksseawheeze2911 Yes it is. My Physio explained it to me. When you get. older your muscles can shrink through lack of use. Building them back up to normal size lengthens them back to their normal length.

[@Whydoyoubanothers]

Looks like you got schooled. Next time ask a clarifying question instead of being a pompous jerk.

[@CapeCodBelle]

Congratulations Will on the growth of your channel! You are approaching one million subscribers!! I’d love to see a video about walking up and down the stairs safely and correctly. Since my broken foot healed, I am walking up the stairs just fine but going down I’m like an old lady. What am I missing?

[@HT-Physio]

Hi there! Thank you for your comment, the growth of my channel amazes me every day and I'm incredibly grateful! I'm sorry to hear about your broken foot. I have the following videos regarding ascending and descending the stairs which may be of help! kzbin.info/www/bejne/enWzkGWQaM6jjKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3W2oJV7mtCbmZI

[@cgreeny03]

Thank you, I’m learning so much. I’m 69 and have Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. 7 months ago I had weight loss surgery to help with mobility, I have much more movement after 31kg loss and now learning more on flexibility from your great site and books. My next challenge is my habit of being tense in my shoulders all the time, they are always held in an up position. Having great deal of trouble stopping this habit 😢 👏👏 thank you so much for your help ❤️

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased to hear your surgery has greatly improved your mobility and it's great to hear my work has been helpful for your flexibility also. I hope your efforts are helpful for your goal of easing your shoulder stiffness!

[@judithspoor6583]

Would be helpful in your videos to say when they are osteoporosis safe. There are many people who have this disease. Love your videos 😊

[@ChittarupaYoga]

The universe must be telling me something. You’re the third channel I’ve seen this on this week. 😃

[@ItsDaElk]

Half a year ago I realised, that I use my hands to get up from the chair - like giving a little push. Also at one time I was on the floor for some reason - when trying to get up, I'm happy nobody saw me😅 I started watching all kinds of physio videos, but Will is simply the best. Such easy to follow exercises. Very well explained in a calm and gentle manner. It took one week to get up from a chair effortlessly. Getting up from the floor is still a work in progress, but much vetter already. The REVERSE LUNGES were great advice. Will, I subscribed to your Channel a couple of weeks ago and thanks for the 3 Tip Friday e-mail. Greetings from Bavaria

[@JC-gm3zs]

"...but Will is simply the best" 'You're simply the best Better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met'

[@ItsDaElk]

@@JC-gm3zs 😉👍

[@joeg3950]

Foam yoga blocks work well. Plus, with righthand strength issues (MS), the foam blocks are easier to manipulate for wall press-ups exercise.

[@HT-Physio]

I'm pleased to hear you've found something that works for you!

[@kendylhoudyshell1399]

Great exercises Will. Thanks for this easy and safe way to work out these muscle groups ❤

[@HT-Physio]

Very happy to help!

[@shirleydilleshaw5289]

Love 3 tip Friday and all your videos. Thanks so much Will.

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased to hear you enjoy them!

[@buffholtman]

These exercises are effective. What do you recommend for low back tension and fatigue?

[@helentraikou6053]

Thank you for sharing all this great tips.🙏

[@janelandry6584]

That wall stretch looks like something I need. Thanks for sharing.

[@bryanquattrone7936]

I’m 66 and would like to know if you have videos that will help me bend over & pick up objects off the ground/floor. I’m a golfer and it’s hard to reach down and get the ball out of the cup…. It’s also difficult to put on socks and shoes. Thanks!!!

[@user-gt8gl5su9k]

Please present exercises for beginners over 80

[@lj.3589]

These are great. Thank you. I'd love to see them for other areas that get tight and need improved flexibility and strength: hip flexors and quadriceps, for example. I used to use a multi-hip machine at my gym that worked great for my hip flexors (and other muscles). The machine was unfortunately not popular and disappeared during covid. (I want one so badly for home.) Anyway, I sit a lot and notice that my quads and hip flexors get very tight. They loosen when I stretch them--although I'm lazy about doing this--and when I use the hip thrust machine--especially the opposing hip flexors. I'm just curious if you have 2 or 3 exercises like the ones in this video that don't require major equipment but will do the same for the hip flexors and quads that the exercises above do for the gastrocnemius muscles, hamstrings, and pecs/anterior deltoids.

[@GT-oz4cj]

Great video and I look forward to trying these exercises. Really enjoying your channel and just recently bought your book!

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear you'll be putting these exercises to good use. Thank you for ordering my book, I hope you've found it packed full of useful and interesting content!

[@sheahansutton5196]

Can you show me a quad stretch please thank you 🙏

[@SW-vf6gb]

Thanks Will. I am focusing on strength more and l will use these. The deadlift always need help for me. Thanks for the tips! 😊😊

[@HT-Physio]

Very happy to help, keep up the great work!

Hi Will, I have been diagnosed with shoulder calcification. (left shoulder). Luckily the pain I felt in my shoulder (which was almost unbearable and due to a sudden inflammation of the bursitis) is now gone. I took some anti-inflammation medicin but refused the traditional needling and arthoscopy the doctors advised. Instead, I opted for a week of fasting (water fasting) and plenty of rest. I am now 99% pain free (apart from some stiffness) and anxious to hit the gym again. I want to be careful and build up strenght training slowly. Can you advise some exercises for these particular instances? Thank you for considering.

[@nopeuhuh1598]

Did the water fasting help? Going though same thing with shoulder.

[@jacksseawheeze2911]

@@nopeuhuh1598it should get rid of the inflammation as you’re not putting any inflammatory foods into your body

[@JC-gm3zs]

@@jacksseawheeze2911 Besides your personal experience, have you got any scientific/medical data to back up your claim.

[@whatever9770]

@@JC-gm3zshe is a qualified physiotherapist. How much more evidence do you want?

[@wandabrady2178]

This is great it will help me to get stronger and better thank you ❤!

[@HT-Physio]

I hope they prove helpful for you!

[@Ally-p5b9u]

Thanks for the strength improvement exercises, Will. Can I use two, not so soft cushions instead of two sets of thick folded towels for the last exercise?

[@sharmilasaha7265]

Lovely exercises It really helps Thankyou Will

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear it!

[@smaragdavolidis9327]

Thank you very much, indeed.

[@HT-Physio]

You're most welcome!

[@RebeccaFuller-y1k]

🍃🌤Good morning, everyone 🤗 Will, I appreciate your videos. "Thank You" 🍃💛🍃

[@HT-Physio]

Good morning, it's my pleasure to help!

[@jamesmathews1640]

What is a good weekly schedule for a 75 year old that hasn't exercised in quite a while?

[@sailearner5058]

Hi I completed 4 half marathons with a pace of around 2 hrs 5 min. And 10k run pace of 50 min around at the age of 28 years. Now I am 37 year old Male and want to complete 10k run by 35 min ... Is it possible by consistent hard work.

[@NirmalaU-s9t]

Thankyou for sharing doctor.

[@HT-Physio]

Very happy to help!

[@NirmalaU-s9t]

@@HT-Physio 💐💐💐

[@ms-ht1cj]

Great exercises. My physiotherapist also recommended them.

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear we recommended the same thing!

[@kenmare16]

Do muscles actually stretch? Or is range of limb motion neurological and determined by sensory perceptors in tendons and within muscles themselves? By holding the muscle under tension at current maximum length you are actually allowing your conscious brain to over ride signals from the sensors and thereby increase range of motion? What really matters is whether any increased range of motion is permanent or not and, if muscle is strengthened, it probably is?

[@kevinmcgrane4279]

Very interesting! I’ll try it. Thx!

[@HT-Physio]

I hope it proves beneficial!

[@costaszogas1807]

Maybe one can use (what-you-may-call-them) blocks instead of the towels?

[@1Keen1]

Will, I have one calf slightly smaller than the other. Would you recommend adding an ankle weight to that lower leg to increase the muscle mass? Thanks!

[@Ruth-g9h]

Thank you.

[@HT-Physio]

You're welcome!

[@DonaldSilva-k8i]

Thanks

[@HT-Physio]

You're welcome!

[@melessalee620]

When I do the hamstring stretch, I feel the stretch on the left but not on the right. Do you know why? Thank you from Pontiac, MI.

[@rajsekhar5795]

Very practical

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear it!

[@nibor1061]

How can this be applied to the the adductors?

[@KR-th7mg]

Is the Romanian deadlift OK to do if you have sciatica?

[@AnneThomson-h8m]

So can I do this heel raise with a mid foot fusion?

[@pushpakumardaniel3751]

Gentleman, In how many years' time will you be crossing 50? If I'm still alive I'd like to see you demonstrating these exercises 🤩.

[@lj.3589]

Lots of people can do these exercises at 50 or older--if that's what you're insinuating. If you're not, please disregard.

[@pushpakumardaniel3751]

@@lj.3589 🤞🏼ℹ️🥫🫢

[@stewarthyson4285]

I have a balance weakness and find your comments insightful. However, what's the possibility of inviting some of your regular clients to demonstrate your recommended exercises. (I find that you may be too healthy so that your recommendations may not be feasible.)

[@SHIRLEYMAYHEW]

HI, WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK IN THE BACK GROUND OF VIDEO PLEASE

[@ellem4067]

Will Harlow is the author. :)

[@trishhickson1550]

Really interesting. I’d especially benefit from the calf raises I think. And possibly the shoulder one. My hamstrings are ultra flexible and probably hyper mobile although possibly not that strong.

[@susanboden1564]

👍👍

[@dinosemr8141]

❤️💖🙏❤️💖

[@FARROSI]

❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@jimkreider9997]

Your videos are very good but bending, kneeling and trying to get up are torture for me. I went to physical thereapy and it helped my hips immensely but I still have pain in my neck and legs. Do exercises including treadmill don't help very much. Hopefully you don't think your techniques are for everyone. Please make that aware to your audience. Certain back excercises can hurt rather than help. Thanks

[@dashnja.9202]

he literally says that at the beginning of every video

[@jacksseawheeze2911]

Did you even listen???!!!