I tried Flexibility Testing - how 'flexible' am I?

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In this video, I show 9 exercises to test flexibility and mobility.
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[@LauraTryUK]

Are you going to give these stretches a try? Download the Exercise Sheet here: lauratry.com/flexibility/

[@chris35932]

Thanks for the download sheet, I'll give them a try tomorrow 👍

[@sphinx1017]

My flexibility is poor but I have good strength. I don't get aches and pains though...yet! I'm 48. I need to improve my balance as well as flexiblity.

[@LauraTryUK]

Cheers chris 👊

[@LauraTryUK]

Perhaps its a nice balance of strength and flex, like a tree. I am making a video about balance soon 😀

[@susank580]

These are a lot harder than they look!!! Craziness 😮. While reaching my arms up the wall, I found tons cobwebs, both literal and figurative. 😂 Thanks, LT! As always, GREAT STUFF!!!

[@user-cr3fz8lz2i]

LT, at least you’re finding out at 40 what I only found out at 59…now I’m 60! Flexibility is so important as we age. It also points out all the anomalies between our right and left sides and shows how our bodies have developed to compensate for those differences over the years. Keep it up! Keep learning about yourself. I’m learning more all the time!!!😊

[@LauraTryUK]

A wonderful comment, thank you 🙏🏼 I've known that the body compensates for imbalances for a while, but doing these exercises, then having Sam analysis my squat really made me understand.

[@Theonewhogotaway808]

Still better than finding out when your 80!! Today is the day we have, we can always improve our future by working on something today rather than never. No matter what age we can improve today. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago… the SECOND best time to plant the tree.. is now. ❤ “ Chinese proverb

[@Minijessilalala]

Hi Laura. I have been going over your old videos until new ones are available 😂😂. Can you pls do a video on the mobility exercises you do? I’d love to see how much you’ve improved from the mobility perspective also. Thanks and keep up the great work!!!

[@JasonReagan84]

Always teasing us with the island adventure footage 🤪

[@LindsayHaven]

😂

[@LauraTryUK]

hahahaha! so bad isn't it. but.......... it's third on the whiteboard list, in CAPITALS, with an explanation mark next to it. The ! means it's serious 😜

[@hollygsphpr]

Love the mobility tests Laura ! clasping the hands behind the back is called 'Cow face ' in yoga, Btw. you'll get there using a yoga belt & flossing' the shoulders. Correcting imbalances is important, Overhead squat is a challange 😂 I can do it ( & all the others) I'm 65yrs but I am a yoga teacher 😆 in training for my 90s

[@LauraTryUK]

That last bit - I _love_ it! How about the ankle one, and the twisty one - are you the same on each side?

[@happychappyaus1]

What’s flossing?

[@aminemaravalo31]

Wow, thanks so much for showing footage and clear explanations

[@LauraTryUK]

You're welcome Amine, thank you 🙏🏼

[@aminemaravalo31]

Thanks my love laura I appreciate 🥰❤❤💘god blessed

[@benmacklin8365]

I'm definitely going to give this a go! Rugby, the army and being a bloke mean my flexibility are rubbish! Thanks LT ❤

[@peterbalac1915]

Same here, nuttin roof tiles up, Hod carrying, scaffolding, pre forklifts, motocross, I ache in parts I didn't even know I had !! The bloke that said hard work never hurt anybody,,,, Never did any 😢😂😂🤙

[@abdellahlouzi4810]

Hi Laura, I really enjoyed your video on how to test your flexibility. I found the exercises to be simple and effective, and I hope to be able to improve my flexibility by doing them. I especially liked the way you explained the importance of flexibility and how it can benefit our overall health and well-being. I'm definitely going to keep up with the exercises and see how much more flexible I can become. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

[@IsabellaDemarko]

loving the series !

[@LauraTryUK]

I am so pleased Isabella 🙏🏼 I'm coming to the end of the fitness testing now. Now to put in the work for the 12 month update video 😅

[@AleksNeve]

I'm 27 yo and I hadn't exercise almost my whole life due to my illneses and working with computers. I have a proper treatment now, I feel so much better so I have just started exercising and that feels amazing. As expected, lower part of my body is horribly stiff but I'm incredibly surprised that upper part of body is very flexible! I don't have any problem with touching my hands on my back, I can even hold the other hand and I can straighten my arms on a wall without any problem. My back arches are also deep, overhead squat is also no problem (but I never had problem with deep squats with straight back). Thank you very much for the video, it is so informative and well thought.

[@sheade_mcshyster]

Yowza the overhead squat is no joke.

[@LauraTryUK]

crazy, ah!? I start ok, then when I get lower my torso just flops forward and shoulders say "what is going on!?"

[@aheartbeatific]

I have to say Laura- this has been so amazing to follow along with and your goals are so relatable and just longevity focused. I’ve commented before but just fully finished and this is so amazing that you provided us such a thorough glimpse into your journey yet again!

[@oompaloompa76]

Great video!!!

[@paul11ful]

Thanks,I will try this 😊

[@corneliusthecomic]

Brilliant.

[@jeffhogan7991]

Thanks Laura! For the video and your time. I’m going to give it a go. You motivate me and have binge watched your videos. Take care. From Los Angeles, California USA.

[@LauraTryUK]

It's so cool you are tuning in from LA! That is mega. Thanks for your comment 🙏🏼

[@syrus3k]

Desk looks awesome btw!

[@LauraTryUK]

cheers John, I'm really loving it, it's made a huge difference to my work and the way I feel during the day.

[@happychappyaus1]

Can’t wait for the ankle video.. something I need help with. Thanks LT, love you channel

[@LauraTryUK]

I think the ankle might take some time to remove that scar tissue, but let's see what I can try. Currently doing daily ankle mobility but I don't think it's going to cut it - it's so sticky in there.

[@katecossum5807]

Yep I will try these asap! Can’t wait!

[@LauraTryUK]

LOVE IT!!!!! Please let me know what it reveals 🕵️‍♀️

[@katecossum5807]

@@LauraTryUK I got some interesting results - I started with the over head squat on the app, then I did the mobility tests that you showed in the video, and did the over head squat test again afterwards, feeling much more energised then the first time... the overall score was exactly the same, the second time only reported 3 mobility issues, and instead of ankle, said core was the area to focus on. Also I was really surprised how I went at the cat cow, I needed to see that and highlighted upper back tightness that I need to work on. Thanks heaps again, really cool stuff and will retest again sometime soon!

[@etry99]

Hi Laura great job do you have any other videos that can help fix some of these imbalances, like the hip one 90 90, im brutal at that.

[@pablogrande8971]

Thanks.

[@LauraTryUK]

You're welcome Pablo, thank you 🙏🏼

[@FlexiSpot]

We belive that standing desk will also help a lot :)

[@markvincent5241]

Awesome video, really interesting. Definitely will be giving these a go and definitely gonna have some variations. My body is definitely left side dominant and will be interested to see what can be altered in my 50s.

[@LauraTryUK]

I love that you are going to try these Mark 💪

[@MandalaBunnyhome]

It's funny that you said you dont know how people touch hands behind their back, I've been hypermobile my whole life and didn't understand why people couldn't reach certain spots on their back to scratch, put on sunscreen, zip up their dress, etc because i can reach my whole back. It sounds great but it means my joints are really unstable leading to pain and recently a knee dislocation 😭 now i do a lot of strength training to help stabilize my joints

[@LauraTryUK]

That is an interesting comment - thank you for adding it. Great work on doing the strength training to increase stability 💪 Fascinating how each body can have different needs and requirements.

[@klimtkahlo]

I am fat and can touch hands on one side (right harm on top), but not on the left. It is praxis. Yoga is the best. I wish I had a trainer and the strength of will to do it daily!

[@beccafranklin6683]

From having a quick go at this stretch’s I think I may also be imbalanced. That’s for bringing this up LT I’m trying to improve overall health and fitness but hadn’t considered this 💗💗

[@LauraTryUK]

Great work on trying the exercises and thanks for commenting Becca 🙏🏼 Which ones were the most imbalanced for you?

[@simonwilton3546]

Me and my fit 16 yr old son just did all these too. Some surprises!

[@LauraTryUK]

mega! so cool you did them together! What were your discoveries??? Any imbalances?

[@simonwilton3546]

@@LauraTryUK we discovered that my son cant crouch or even really do the ankle test ( though he is strong and fit) everything else was fluid for him. Im a builder but surprisingly turned out to be flexible but had a doninant hand imbalance with the final test. I guess you look like what you do. My serious cycling mate stands like a puppet, as if still on a bike and my computery mate is hunched. Im recommending your test to rveryone, the twist one felt amazing afterwards! So much freer. Top content👍🏻

[@bryanhyde8850]

LT, thanks for these as well, I will do as many as I can and will put those results here, it may take sometime though eh :)

[@LauraTryUK]

Love it! Go Bryan 💪

[@bryanhyde8850]

@@LauraTryUK Thanks! So I tried the hands behind the back to try and touch,, Not even close ! :(

[@LauraTryUK]

but... was you evenly 'not-even-close' on both sides?

[@bryanhyde8850]

@@LauraTryUK Actually it was pretty even, I have old shoulders from 20 years in the military, but with time I think I can make them more flexible.

[@niamhc6312]

Wow, thanks so much for showing footage and clear explanations! I was lying down taking a break but ended up getting up to try the movements. The exercise done lying down was most interesting for me, because my left arm went down much further than my right, even though I have chronic pain there - probably because I'm not using my right arm/shoulder enough. I found the overhead squat easy peasy because I started using a low desk on the floor every day, so I get up and down a lot. I wonder if it might be a good challenge to try, for example not sitting on chairs/sofas for a week? I was inspired by Katy Bowman, a biomechanist who lives in a 'furniture-free' or 'movement-rich' home, without traditional beds or chairs. Anyway thanks for another great video!

[@LauraTryUK]

I'm liking their idea of the low desk/furniture free movement rich idea. I'd love to try it. I was going to try Japanese floor sleeping but then got an Eight Sleep, which changed that plan.... 🤔 And loving that you can do the overhead squat with ease! 🙌🏼

[@niamhc6312]

@@LauraTryUK Funny you mention floor sleeping, because I occasionally do! (On a 5mm yoga mat and carpet.) It helps with my joint condition but for people who sleep fine in a bed or have a nice mattress, I’d say stick with that.

[@jbrewer2652]

Laura, did you add the skirting board measurements to the knee to wal l exercise? It could make a difference in your results.

[@lynbob1872]

I am loving your videos. Where are you from? Got to be London? Essex?

[@donovanvaz3289]

Hey Laura, just discovered your channel. Loving the videos - especially this one. I already know I have imbalance issues that lead to lower back and knee issues. After doing the initial assessment, is the way to improve the imbalances merely to keep doing the assessments each day? Or are there other things you can do that will improve your range in the assessments? Did that make sense?

[@LauraTryUK]

Hi, thank you for watching my videos 🙏 That’s a tricky question to answer as I’m guessing it would different for each person. I suppose a good place to start is keep practicing, then also possibly get some professional advice. There were soooo many exercises Sam could have shown but we may have got lost down a rabbit hole 🕳️

[@JadesFitnessBucketList]

def going to try this one!! sorry if this was covered and i missed this but can we stretch before the 9 tests and if so how much? i assume warming up will drastically change the results

[@LauraTryUK]

Hey Jade, a great question, I my standard dynamic warmup, just made it a bit longer than usual so I was, or at least, felt more supple.

[@jsmithgate]

I tried the straight arms above head squat people. Nine days later I still can't get up . I think I may need a forklift.🤭

[@keisha2778]

I hope you still got your splits. I’m going to try to be more consistent with my stretching

[@mariaocampo7240]

@LauraTryUK could you try the famous wall Yoga/Pilates challenge for 30 days? I keep seeing it online but I don't know what are the benefits and need motivation! I loved your 30 d run video, I keep sharing it

[@MsRjutube]

I see you are using a CGM. I just had one on as I have recently diagnosed with diabetes. I found the sensor great (Libre free style) but I signed up through Vively here in Australia and they were terrible! Inaccurate, glitchy and super poor customer service. Looks like you are using Levels?- how are you finding them? Great video as always LT

[@LauraTryUK]

Hey, I am using the Libre Free sensor along with Levels. It isn't an app designed for diabetes, however I am finding it super reliable. I'm hoping to release the video about it in a several weeks.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

The back hand grasp can be called a “Paperclip”.

[@nevertoolate8589]

Cool, need to test myself! I can touch hands behind my back on one side but not the other. Definitely an imbalance there. Is that a glucose monitor on your arm? Do I sense an upcoming video? 😃

[@LauraTryUK]

well spotted... for sure! A video coming up 👊

[@nevertoolate8589]

@@LauraTryUK looking forward to it!

[@LauraTryUK]

🙏🏼

[@NoName-zc8pv]

Serrapeptase will remove the scar tissue. I've used it a couple of times for this issue.

[@LauraTryUK]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to try Active Release Technique and flossing and see what I can do.

[@Neophema]

Wow! I feel like I have terrible shoulder mobility, but I can clasp my fingers together, like that woman in the picture... on both sides.

[@noestestristecass]

Im not an expert but in my yin yoga qualification they told us the relevance of body proportions and skeletal structure when it comes to flexibility, not everyone can do the same stretches and sometimes it isnt only about flexibility. For example if the hip socket is deeper and the femur goes deeper in, the bones may actually hit each other and limit movement when trying to open the leg, and it has nothing to do with whether the leg muscles are flexible Thats one example but all bodies grow and adapt differently and have different proportions so id just say we should work on improving our flexibility but also not worry too much if it is not picture perfect or canonically correct The most important thing is getting to a point of stretching for our body regardless of how it looks ❤

[@LauraTryUK]

I like what you have said Georgia, and Sam did tell me this when I visited. I didn't include it as it can make the topic complicated. Sam said I have long femurs which surprised me, but also explains some things I struggle with and may never be able to do.

[@piperuk5366]

That stretch at the 6min mark was discussed recently on AthleanX. By all accounts, once you lose the abilty to do that stretch you can never get it back?

[@LauraTryUK]

really? How interesting - would you link to the video please? I am doing my best to get some mobility on my worse side, it may take some time but.....

[@piperuk5366]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/raHaZmyGppt9sLc

[@piperuk5366]

Please do update us on your progress. I'm interested to see if you can actually improve this movement 👍 All the best to you ❤

[@piperuk5366]

It's around the 4 min 30sec mark btw

[@piperuk5366]

🤦‍♀️ I've just rewatched it myself- you can PROACTIVELY gain it back!! If you didn't try and stretch that way any more it would get worse. So sorry for the confusion!!😬

[@kovar2344]

haha those striped leggins are becoming staple of this channel xD Also when it comes to hand touch behind the head. I was always super flexible, but i injured my right shoulder last October. Since then i can only do full connection on the left side. Makes me upset.

[@LauraTryUK]

hahaha, well spotted! They are my favourite - and we also filmed this on the same day as another ives. sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you get it back to full range again. Shoulders can be tricky with injury can't they.

[@user-bk2ff4cg9e]

😘

[@wk801]

I like your accent. Is it cockney? ❤️

[@LauraTryUK]

Born near East London, it's softened a lot over the years. My mum and dad have a mega version.

[@wk801]

@@LauraTryUK I love it.

[@LauraTryUK]

@@wk801 I'm pleased you do 😀

[@peterbalac1915]

You sound just like a bird I dated from biller back in the day, I enjoy your videos and your torturous regime's your a nutter but you and your mum are luvley 😂❤

[@MurderWeaponLimited]

comparing your vids from 3 years ago to this one, you def put on more muscle mass and look strong af. Those thighs could crush watermelons! (that'd be a fun try)

[@LauraTryUK]

Hahaha, this comment 🍉 Body is changing for sure!

[@grahamguy4656]

I am sorry to sat I can fo the abnormal holding my hand behind my back on both sides

[@LauraTryUK]

oh my! Send me some of that shoulder flexibility please Graham 🤣

[@grahamguy4656]

@@LauraTryUK 🤣 will do great vid

[@grahamguy4656]

I was thinking on getting the vivobarefoot shoes I no you have been wearing them for some time no and wonder if I can pick your brain about them thanks

[@chestnutmongrel]

IKEA has the same table and the same chair...

[@SimonBoothPhotography]

You were duped. On the first test for calf flexibility there was a skirting board so your flexibility was better than you were given credit for.

[@Livhappy25]

I think you should do one on being more feminine, let her grow