Why You Can't Touch Your Toes (And the Benefits You're Missing)

[@Uprighthealth]

Why do you want to be able to touch your toes? Drop me a comment!👇 And be sure to check out this tutorial for your forward fold: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImwXn2wppKjhaM

[@patkuykendall-weeks2617]

Mobility.

[@daveh8405]

Because it’s something most people can’t do.

[@ginnydragon]

hi @Uprighthealth so lately i have been fascinated by hunter gatherers, especially the hadza tribe, but i can't say i have ever seen them (through various youtube videos on them) bent down without bending their knees a little bit. mind you i think they are still more mobile in that area than most of us. it just got me curious on why that is, and i wanted to know your thoughts about it 😊 oh btw these were hadza men, so i have no idea if hadza women do these more or not

[@Espoboogie]

Thank you for taking the time to educate, inform and clearing out the fog of misinformation. For a while now, I have focused more on mobility than actual exercising. It has served me right. Thank you again.

[@michelenichele294]

I’m 78 years old, female, and just had to try it after watching you. I DID IT!!! 🤸🏼 Although I must admit my calves were burning a little. (I ‘ll practice, thanks!🙏)

[@stevenlaupert3089]

Good for you, keep it going and ATM always think muscles! 😃

[@Uprighthealth]

Great job!

[@stevenlaupert3089]

@@Uprighthealth props to you as Tony the Tiger says your greeeeat. Or is it it’s greaaaaat either or your the man and it works! That’s why your Tony the Tiger great! And always remember pain sucks life should!

[@stevenlaupert3089]

@@Uprighthealth shouldn’t my bad miss spell pain sucks life shouldn’t

[@irenebuchan5135]

I found your channel while looking for exercises to rehabilitate my knee after fracturing my kneecap. I've never been able to Asian squat since I was aware there was such a thing, but kept attempting it as part of my exercise routine. Yesterday I had an OMG!! moment. I was squatting down to get at something in the kitchen when I realized I was able to let go and remain there. Getting back up is not yet pretty but I can now squat down without overbalancing! I've been working on improving my toe-touching too, and finding at 66yrs old you CAN regain some of your lost mobility. Thanks so much!

[@norabeaulieu3555]

Hi Matt, just found your channel. I love this information and I'm making it my summer goal to work on the squat. That said, it's kind of a pain to have to scroll through multiple videos to work on strengthening/stretching the various parts of the body that I need to work on. Have you considered doing a "beginner" video that includes knee, hip, ankle (and whatever else) in one video? Then, those of us that need strength training can simply watch the entire video instead of the first few minutes of several.

[@Uprighthealth]

This is a great idea! Thank you! Adding it to queue!

[@Uprighthealth]

Maybe will setup a full program on my website if enough people want to learn it!

[@Bronte55]

Great suggestion, Nora!

[@podracer35]

I agree and would totally love this!

[@NoxCattus]

I love this idea!

[@justins7711]

I have been working on deep squat the past few weeks, followed with downward dog to cobra as a balance. I have been working hip hinge over a year or two as well, but not much progress. Would you say that deep squat work will also help with hip hinge? What about bridge and other hamstring strengthening exercises? Thanks for all you do, your recent neck videos helped me FINALLY rid myself of a kinked neck and shoulder pain that went on for months.

[@Uprighthealth]

They can all be complementary. Directly working the hinge using weight will be VERY helpful. If you haven't watch this video yet, you should: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImwXn2wppKjhaM Happy to hear the neck progress!!! Thanks for your support! 💪🤙

[@delmalouisrubin404]

Thanks!

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks so much, Delma!

[@GrammyAmanda]

My husband can touch his toes but I can’t. My excuse is my back, but I’m determined to work on those muscles. BTW, I love your injections of humor in the video. 😂

[@Neeko_Z]

Agreed. Now I’m not one to touch my toes “naturally” and very far off. But I can after training.

[@mscherri99]

Matt I love your videos and humor... so informative and funny! 🤸‍♀️😊

[@claires8735]

Love your practical, common sense outlook!

[@weebrahim]

Unfortunate that this video hasn't picked up more views yet, here's to hoping the algorithm picks it up! 🥂

[@Uprighthealth]

Seriously! 😂

[@Lexiissad]

“If it’s really late at night you’ll paste why you can’t in the comments” Me at 00:25 who just wanted to learn how to touch my toes randomly at night:

[@fitwithdiana]

The best way to learn is through laughter and fun. Thank you, I really enjoy your videos!

[@courag1]

Love your sense of humor.

[@DarrellGrainger]

I'm a 57 year old man. I have always been able to touch my toes. I find it amazing that there are people who can't tie their own shoes without sitting. I have 19 inch calves. My legs are freaking huge. I used to race bicycles as a kid. For the last 24 years I have been a scuba diver. Less upper body strength because I'm always using my legs (your strength as a diver is in my legs/fins; don't use your hands/arms). I've always found if I'm using my legs a lot and forgetting to do my stretches, it gets a little harder to touch my toes. With practice, you should be able to put your hands, palms down, flat on the ground.

[@geraldinegregory.1803]

This guy is BRILLIANT! Useful information, funny, and very entertaining. Of course I hate him really because of all the pain I'm going through trying to get myself loosened up!!! 😁😂🤣😂😩🥵🤕 - ❤

[@Species710]

That's interesting. I was once yelled at, at work, for lifting without bending my knees and so when I complied to the yeller, it hurt my back to lift with my knees bent. Also that physical something fallacy is a very interesting term. I see too many people in the medical profession say things like, your suppose to ache, or "fill in the blank", because you are old. No. Just so much no.

[@matttcameron_]

I love using my kids to see if I should be able to get into a certain position. Should I be able to get my head to my knee during a 90 90? Well my kid can so I guess I should be able to too. Touching my toes has been my main mobility struggle, but even my kids who are 6 and 8 can't do it, which I attribute to sitting in chairs all day at school.

[@lizm4557]

"Holy Fudgesicle". I'm still laughing my head off!!!! 🤣

[@nicoledivver4006]

Thanks! Great channel

[@tinasyoga]

Never an issue, yoga Down dog and forward fold and added deadlifts for strength

[@NoxCattus]

This isn't just an issue for office workers/those who sit lol. I spend at least 8-9 hours a day on my feet and being able to do this has been an on/off goal of mine for over three decades 🙃 Not giving up, though. Adding this to my list of goals after I can do the Asian squat.

[@Uprighthealth]

GET IT! 💪

[@faurby999]

very helpful and cool!!

[@donnabanks7656]

I appreciate this video, you spent a lot of explaining why a person can't touch their toes. I wish you could spent time explaining how to start doing it please.

[@Uprighthealth]

Video is linked at the end of the video, in description box, and now here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImwXn2wppKjhaM

[@mbusch2669]

👍🏻Thank you 👍🏻

[@donnabanks7656]

@@Uprighthealth Thank you.

[@道-p2e]

Great program💔

[@patriciavarga4204]

Ur hilarious. I always enjoy your videos.

[@maccollo]

Hey I'm one of those guys that look a little bit like the wierd giants in Majoras Mask. My limbs are quite long relative to my torso. There's a guy I used to see at my gym who is 170 cm. I'm 190 cm. So I am like a head above him. Yet when we sit down next to each other we're at eye level. Can still touch my toes tho. If I give myself some time in the position and allow my back to round I can put the palms of my hands against the ground. I haven't really pracised stretching generally but I do have RLS which sometimes attacks my hamstrings at night, so I often stretch them out when I try to sleep to distract me from that senssation.

[@Luis-lt5hv]

This guy is useful and funny

[@katejacobs5491]

Who knew? Just tried it. Can do it easily. Do daily forward bends which probably helps.

[@DarkKnightSatellite]

the touching toes posture even lowers high blood pressure - how our german researchers found out

[@eduardotorres7986]

I'm 31 had a car accident and around winter my lower back staffing up any recommendations to maybe avoid it or it be less painful

[@hildamaclean2763]

Love your essence..I found someone that’s talks more than Me!!! 😂😂😂

[@pearlssoapery702]

Unfortunately when I touch my toes or bend down to pick something up my back starts to hurt.

[@chriscoughlan5221]

Am I right in saying it's a slow process? Should I see some sort of progress in a few weeks?

[@roccoelliot]

"And dangerous for your chode"😂😂😂

[@canancanbay4735]

Ankylosing spondylitis i guess thats why i cannot touch my toes😕

[@slgibbs1]

I love your videos. Since the pandemic, they cancelled our senior yoga and I am stiffening up. I still lift weights occasionally, but not enough to build muscle) One question for you... I am 77 years old and have LOW blood pressure (110/61) and if my head gets below my heart, I get dizzy and faint. Would these exercises be beneficial if I sat on the floor to touch my toes, instead of upright?

[@denisethibault2267]

tightening quads will stop highper extension of knees if you do not tighten quads you can not length hamstring teach by standing lift your toes upextend them out and feel what happens to quads , buttock let go of the buttock as you move forward, its a great way to teach ladies to tighten the quads and protect the knee joints,, the lady who gets dizzy should lift her head and eyes up b😢efore lifting the body slowly. i am 79 years and have been practicing for over 46 years denise

[@plainseed]

love your attitude and definition of physical feeble fallcacy

[@stevenlaupert3089]

Awesome 😎

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks 🤗

[@BenSATX]

Thanks for always bringing your fun personality to these videos. I’m one of those guys who can’t touch their toes. My 70+ year old mother can do it and was surprised that I couldn’t. I’m working on that plus improving my working on my squats as well. Thanks you so much for your content!

[@Uprighthealth]

Rock on!

[@evanjames11]

Lmao me.. a swimmer who spent 20 years in basically a standing position 💀

[@shorinryu9713]

Hi Matt, is there a way to contact you for a 1:1 consultation?

[@dr916]

Hi. Can you do a vid on middle split? Thanks!

[@podracer35]

"The Hip Hinging Hippie" is an incredible epithet ahahahaha

[@lynmattox936]

6:26 😂😂😂 So my partner (5'2") and I (5'8") have the same size torsos, but I have longer legs. In a funny turn of events, I can touch my toes and they can't touch theirs!

[@geethebirdnerd]

Matt i can touch them when in the straddle position - but not when feet are together-

[@Amipalovestwilight]

After a little streching I'm usually able to touch my toes, but only with my spine bent.

[@sonjames6114]

I’m older and learn yoga from a fabulous B K S Iyengar book. A lot of guided forward bending & like someone else mentioned here Downward Dog asana. The book also tells you to bend correctly from the hips.

[@daveh8405]

Speaking of tall. I am 6’4” my torso is about like a 6 foot person. My legs are like those of a 6’8 persons. Not an excuse. I’m working on it. I can touch my toes. It’s a stretch but I can. Fortunately my arm are long like my legs.

[@johnnunn8688]

I’ve always been able to easily touch my toes. In fact, at age 69, I can still put my palms flat on the floor, with straight legs. Why? No idea.

[@richym2020]

I used to be able to touch my toes, now I'm getting local pain in my glute if I try to bend forward. It's a sharp, stabbing pain.

[@patriciavarga4204]

No offense to anyone in the medical field,I was for over 31 years. Matt 🎯🎯🎯 on medical advice from the medical field.🎯🎯🎯

[@lyndzeereedy9750]

I have a transitional vertebrae from L5-S1. I assumed I couldn't touch my toes for this reason. Do you think I should still be able to do it?

[@flor.7797]

sounds like a mindset problem to me

[@achi4956]

I can touch my toes but there is a bend between lumbar and thoraxic region why?

[@Uprighthealth]

You're rounding your spine instead of flexing the hips. See this video for discussion of that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImwXn2wppKjhaM

[@ShushLorraine]

I didn't hear the excuse that my big fat middle gets in the way. However, that's really no excuse because determination gets rid of that big fat middle.

[@Uprighthealth]

🔥

[@ShushLorraine]

Actually, I'm surprised that I CAN touch my toes. Must be because I'm a woman. It's certainly not because of my exercising habits. Though, I'm not totally sedentary, but more sedentary than I want to admit. My first goal is to go up and down stairs without holding the rail. Then, to be able to squat easily. Your videos have certainly helped me!!

[@violainelebas9848]

Merci !

[@Uprighthealth]

Merci pour votre soutien!

[@namstee]

I just don't know what information to believe at this point, not too long ago I ran into a popular channel saying that you shouldn't be doing any touch your toe stuff since it can really hurt your back.

[@Uprighthealth]

Which aligns with reality? Doe the ability to touch one's toes seem to hamper, harm, or debilitate gymnasts, dancers, and other athletes? Does doing it regularly hamper o r harm people who live in societies where it's common? On the flip side; does believing the human body is somehow incapable of folding at the hips beyond 45 degrees hamper your freedom and independence? Does the lack of this range of motion impede your ability to perform even basic tasks like tying shoes or picking up a box? 🤔 You choose whom to believe. Just don't forget the PHYSICALLY FEEBLE FALLACY is ALWAYS at play when you're listening to doctors and "famous" physical therapists...4:32

[@matttcameron_]

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on bending and lifting with a bent spine, ie, the Jefferson curl. Would you say there's a benefit to training both hip hinge with a straight back and the Jefferson curl?

[@Uprighthealth]

There's a benefit but normal people should NOT be starting with the jefferson curl until they understand the straight back hinge. Got to learn how move the pelvis independent of spine movement (something a lot of people struggle with) before you start mixing things together.

[@matttcameron_]

@@Uprighthealth I can’t touch my toes but I do hip hinge exercises daily. Just started Jefferson curls a couple times a week with light weights.

[@joycepearljones4907]

Dancers and exercise

[@joycepearljones4907]

Women and exercises and childbirth; why can't I touch my toes?

[@louiselemarr533]

👍❤️

[@SEA-U2]

How sad I watched video after video that said it was not good I never understood the madness ‼️😳

[@Uprighthealth]

Amazing how quickly bad advice can spread once someone with "authority" starts spouting it like truth... (See: PHYSICALLY FEEBLE FALLACY 😀)

[@ramizkaraeski299]

ATM(ALWAYS THINK MUSLES)

[@danielmuller2701]

Î mean my genetics predisposition me to tighter and shortened muscles and tendons.. plus my mom has a ridiculusly short upper bodyx compared to her legs.. we still can all touch our toes (more or less) - my sister on the other hands (ridiculously long arms) has troubles. so.. yeah, I call BS on the "genetics" and "too tall" crowd. But your video was better and more informative on why

[@hR-gw3re]

I just love people who blame genetics for physical things. like when did your ancestors fucked it up? when was that 'point of no return' that limited us??

[@mayanightstar]

Me, AFAB transmasc who can't touch my toes: thanks for the gender validation, my hips

[@patriciavarga4204]

In the 3rd grade 😂

[@bernardporter1002]

Thanks!

[@Uprighthealth]

Thanks so much, Bernard!