IF YOU DO ONE THING TODAY...

OPEN THE DOOR WITH YOUR FOOT

As bizarre as this might appear, opening a door with your foot is a fantastic test of core strength, muscle control, balance and flexibility. I try to find clever ways to help clients build extra movement into their everyday life without them realising, and this is just one of the them. While it’s a challenge, you won’t break your neck and it’s not as hard as it looks. As well as being an immediate workout, there can be longer-term benefits. By trying new and different movements, we can keep our bodies limber and more supple, preventing discomfort and postural problems. Give it a go! Find a door with a handle, rather than a knob (gripping one of those with your toes might be a bit hard). Take off your shoes and socks to start with, as you’ll find it easier to balance and easier to get purchase on the handle with your foot. Keeping your back upright and core (abdominals) tight, raise one leg to the height of the door handle and try to keep your supported leg locked at the knee (straight, not bending, thigh muscle tense and engaged). If balance is a problem, try focusing at one point – the door handle, for instance. Gently press down with your foot on to the handle and pull it towards you with your toe opening the door, or push away depending on the direction of the opening. Avoid bending your back forwards while struggling to reach the handle. If you can’t reach any door handles, you already know the two departments needing practice: more stretching, and more core strength exercise.