Superman

Who doesn’t love Superman?!!!!  Okay…..so I’m not exactly talking about the Man of Steel here.  I’m talking about the exercise.  J   

A lot of people I talk to suffer from lower back pain.  It’s a very common ailment.  Especially as we age and stop using those lower back muscles.  Admit it.  Most of you are sitting at your desk reading this aren’t you?  We tend to slouch over and put added stress on those delicate back muscles.  Superman exercises are an easy backbend exercise to help counteract all of those hours we spend incorrectly using our back.  And the Superman not only works your back, but it also great for your glutes, hamstrings and shoulders.  Here are a few simple tips to follow:

1. Start by lying face down on your stomach with your arms overhead. 
2. Keeping your arms shoulder width distance apart and your feet hip width apart, slowly raise your arms and legs off of the floor and hold.  Lower back down to the ground. 
3. Repeat for several sets (3 sets of 10). 
4. Make sure to breath steadily and don’t bounce or move too fast.  Always protect those muscles. 
5. Beginners can alternate raising their arms and legs (lift right arm and left leg) or raise arms only or legs only.
6. Advanced options include adding a flutter kick and swimming arms, holding arms and leg wide or other moves such as a hamstring curl or chest opener. 

SUPER simple, right?!  J  I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!