Physical Therapy Month- Exercise Challenge of the Week, The Bridge

This week’s exercise challenge is the bridge. The bridge is a great exercise for trunk stability and gluteal strength. We include bridges to help our patients get rid of  back pain. Hold the bridge position for time to build strength. Start with 15 seconds and work up to 1 minute as able.

Check out this video to learn how to include bridges into your exercise routine.

Thank you for recognizing Physical Therapy Month and participating in our exercise challenge. We’d love to hear what you think of the exercises and invite you to comment on your favorite exercises.

For more information on Physical Therapy please contact us.

Disclaimer: The information provided on Baudry Therapy Center ’s website and blog is presented for information and educational purposes only. This general information is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition nor to replace diagnosis or treatment by your healthcare professional. Before beginning light or moderate intensity physical activities, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about health and exercise as part of your everyday routine. Baudry Therapy Center and its respective agents, heirs, assigns, contractors and employee’s will not be held liable for any injury incurred or exacerbated while performing any exercises, stretches, or any other activity related to the content and information available on this website.

10 Easy Tips to Make You More Fit

  1. Warm Up Properly A nice five to ten minutes warm up that includes basic calisthenics and dynamic stretching will increase the productivity of your workouts.
  2. Take The Time to Help Your Body Recover Your muscles need time to recover.  Allow for muscle fibers to fully repair before hitting the same muscle group again.  You can facilitate this process by foam rolling, eating properly, and getting enough sleep.
  3. Stretch Tight muscles can be caused by our everyday activities like sitting at our desk and driving our cars.  Take 10 to 15 minutes AFTER your workout to improve your flexibility.
  4. Drink Enough Water Your body is mostly made of water and needs it to carry out its basic functions.  Try carrying a bottle around with you and drink the entire thing every time you eat a meal.
  5. Get Enough Sleep Our bodies do most of their recovering while we are asleep.  It’s essential that you get enough rest for this process to occur.  Try to sleep at least 7 hours a night.
  6. Mix It Up Make one workout a week into something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Take yoga or pilates, go to a spin class, or lift weights.  You’ll be amazed what weaknesses your routine has allowed you to develop.
  7. Relax Take some time for yourself each day.  Listen to music, read a book, or do any of your favorite hobbies.  Stress is counterproductive for a healthy lifestyle.
  8. Incorporate Resistance Training Resistance training is one of the best ways to ramp up your metabolism and help you shed pounds while building the strength required for movement.  The more lean mass you have the more calories you will burn.
  9. Make a Commitment to Yourself Understand that your goals are attainable, but you have to work for them.  Health and fitness don’t happen overnight.  Elite athletes train for years to acquire the proper tools to play their respective sports.  Don’t quit on yourself!!!
  10. Talk to People Who Know More Than You If you are first starting off with your fitness plan, seek the help of professionals.  It’s a personal trainer’s job to assist you with your goals.  Qualified personal trainers can teach you the basics of exercise and provide you with the knowledge to continue your fitness journey on your own.

Photos: aye_shamus, greg westfall