If you want to improve your flexibility, you need to know how to do it. You will be able to maintain a full range of motion as you age if you have supple joints.

If you struggle to touch your toes, don't despair, it's possible to improve your flexibility If you want to improve your reach and master yoga poses, you can use the best yoga mats and blocks.

Stretching and foam rolling are two ways to increase your range of motion.

Why is flexibility important?

Phil Evans says that if you don't have flexibility in the movement you are trying to perform it can lead to injury.

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Phil Evans

You will have a greater range of movement and greater control over that movement if you stretch your muscles.

You will probably improve your posture and reduce your pains. If you have more flexibility in your muscles, you can perform better and feel better.

Older man doing yoga stretch at home on floor

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What’s a good way to measure your flexibility?

Three of the most important flexibility tests are shoulder stretch, trunk lift and sit-and-reach. We asked Knapton what she could tell us.

Katie Knapton

Shoulder stretch

The person being tested reaches over their shoulder and down their back with one hand while reaching their other hand up and back to try and touch the fingers of the hands together The amount of overlap is measured.

Trunk lift test

The person who is going to be tested lies prone on the floor with their face down and their upper body off the floor. The chin is measured to see how high it is. Flexibility and strength are tested.

Sit-and-reach test

According to Knapton, the most simple and easy to evaluate is simply flexing at the hips to touch the floor. The distance from the floor is measured and the amount of hand touching the floor is noted.

When it is done seated with legs extended and straight about 8 to 12 inches apart, the person being tested reaches forward with their hands overlap. A line marked on the floor is used to measure the distance.

Woman doing wide legged bend in gym

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Four ways to improve your flexibility

If you want to improve your flexibility, consistency is important. It is possible that you will need to take up some new exercises or stretch your muscles. The experts suggest what to do.

1. Take up Pilates

Evans saysPilates is a great way to make you more flexible. It improves your strength and flexibility. It's important for a good range of motion, especially as we age, so it's important to strengthen the core.

In a study published in the Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, it was shown that core strength training can improve flexibility and balance in sedentary people. Lower back flexibility, as well as overall dynamic balance, were shown to have been improved by the six-week core strength exercise program.

2. Start foam rolling

You might think of foam rolling as a strength training session. It can be used to help promote flexibility and boost performance, as it helps to reduce muscle knots in the tissue.

The study sought to determine changes in performance and flexibility before and after foam rolling.

It showed that foam rolling was a good strategy for improving flexibility and not decreasing muscle performance.

  • Related: How to exercise without hurting your knees

Person using foam roller at home

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3. Try yoga

Evans says yoga improves strength, flexibility and breathing through a series of increasingly difficult stretches.

According to a study by the International Journal of Yoga, participants who took up a 10-week long, bi-weekly yoga practice saw an increase in their flexibility and balance.

Evans says that yoga is designed to boost your health and mental wellbeing.

4. Perform stretches before and after training

Some stretches can be introduced before or after a workout. Evans was asked to give us a few examples.

Young man practicing child's pose at home

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A child is posing.

If performed on a regular basis, this will allow for more movement in these areas.

  • Start on all fours (your hands and knees).
  • Drop your buttocks back onto your heels.
  • Stretch your hands forwards, dropping your head between your shoulders towards the floor. You will feel this stretch through your back and upper arms.
  • Hold the stretch for 60 to 90 seconds.

Woman doing pigeon pose at home

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The pigeon is posing.

The stretch loosens your lower back.

  • Start on all fours (your hands and knees).
  • Bring your right knee forward and get as much external rotation in your hip as you can.
  • Lay your leg down on the mat and lower your chest down to the floor as far as you can. You will feel this stretch through your right buttock/hip.
  • Hold the stretch for 60-90 seconds.
  • Repeat for your left hip.