EXERCISE OF THE WEEK
Let’s get functional, functional!
The squat to overhead press will start our functional exercise series, because let’s be honest, there’s few exercises more functional than these. Whether your lowering your child to the floor, picking up your latest Amazon delivery from the front door, reaching up to put something on that high shelf, or just trying to get up from the toilet, these moves are used ALL THE TIME in your every day life!
As a new mom living life on my children’s schedules (or lack there of), I’m always looking for exercises that give me the most bang for my buck! This exercise works muscles throughout the lower body, upper body, and core, AND it translates directly into activities that I have to be able to do with my kids, in my home, and at work all the time.
HOW TO PERFORM:
Start with two dumbbells of challenging weight in each hand at shoulder height and feet hip width apart. Move your bottom back as you bend the knees and lower toward the ground until the hips are below the height of the knees. Push through the heels and squeeze the glutes as you raise back up to standing. Use upward momentum to help push the dumbbells overhead until the elbows are straight and arms are next to your ears. Remember to keep the core engaged to prevent excessive movement in the low back and help transfer force from the lower body to the upper body.
Performing functional exercises like the Squat to Overhead Press can help improve your movement patterns and give you the strength necessary for completing your everyday activities with ease. If you have difficulty or pain with these activities, contact Life Changes Physical Therapy to find out how we can make you more functional!