How to have a good workout in 8 minutes!
Yep, you read it correctly, how to have a good workout in 8 minutes. Several years ago I was having issues in my waist, hips, and legs. And my knees was feeling weak when I would climb stairs.
I went on 2-3 mile hikes nearly everyday but that did not seem to help very much. Than at a family gathering I was visiting with a relative who just happened to be a long distance runner and I described my leg issues to him.
He suggested that maybe I was having ligament problems. And he had a very simple suggestion. He told me to lay in a doorway, flat on my back and put my left leg straight up, flat against the left side of the door frame and hold my right leg flat against the floor and hold the position for several minutes. And after a few minutes switch and repeat the same process with my right leg against the right door frame.
I did this exercise for several weeks at least five times a week. About this time I decided that as long as I was in the floor I could be doing setups as well. So I begin to do about ten setups or crunches each workout. I do the setups with my legs still in the straight up position. Presently, I am up to twenty crunches.
And than, I bought a couple of two pound barbells and begin exercising my shoulders and arms. Now, at this, time I have worked up to five pound barbels.
You are probably wondering, what about results? I have continued this regiment going on eight years. Yes, a few times i have taken as much as a month off. But every time I quit the regiment, my back begins to give me trouble. And when I begin the exercise again my back feels better.
The shoulder and arm exercises, with the barbels. has also helped tremendously. Like most computer users, I have developed pain in the middle of my back, between my shoulders due to leaning forward looking at the screen. My back still gets tired, but the pain is gone.
This is a a work out that can be carried out at home and also when traveling. It has benefited me greatly and I am thankful to my nephew for making his suggestion.
Recent Comments
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Hi Bobby,
It's amazing what benefits even a short workout can bring. People often justify their inactivity as not having the time to exercise but even 8 minutes a day can be life-changing:)
I've always known that exercise is absolutely necessary for my mental health.
Erica
Good for you! I do a very soft Pilates regularly and this keeps me agile and without back pains. Everybody needs to find their health form!
Hi, landman.
This is a great topic. I am a tennis trainer as well, doing sport for many years.
The problems You describes (waist, hips, legs, knees) can be caused because of many reasons, but on of it has to do with the people who are getting older, (by the way, youngsters can have such problems as well).
The before described section is mostly a middle section of the body, connecting lower and upper body, and it is always under stress, whatever we do in our daily lives and during our profession.
Because of the fact, that with aging, the connective tissue and muscles are getting weaker, and thus the whole static, balance and moveability of the body weaker, it is important to make the whole locomotor system stronger, using various strength exercises for that and surrounding areas of the body.
For example, by strengthening the Vastus group of muscles above the knee and Patella can improve the stability of the knee and prevent injuries. Same with back muscles, abdominals etc connected with the problems in the middle section of the body.
Regardless the age, it is always possible to execute such exercises, with the own body or with external weights, or perhaps with elastic bands, or swiss balls, or some other equipment.
Thanks for the post, congrats for Your effort, stay healthy and keep up the good exercise. Enjoy it!
Igor,
I appreciate your comments and encouragement. All your thoughts add up. I am 74 years old and I hate to think about how I would feel if I did not workout. I basically just try to stay loose. Thank you for your help. Bobby
Hi Bobby! Big congrats for Your effort in that age. keep up the good practice and stay healthy!
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Sounds like something I might try, thanks