prepared

Proprioception & 10 insanely hot fitness tips from Instagrammers who would know

Is there any more readily available source of fitness wisdom than Instagram? Poke around for a few minutes and you’ll find a never-ending stream of athletes and trainers, only too happy to divulge the secrets of their physical fitness journey.

We’ve rounded up some of the most helpful moves (and gratifying physical forms) to be found. Thanks for sharing your workout regimen with the world, trainers of Instagram!

1. Start with stretches

Ahhh yes, feel your muscles elongate with every stretch. Grab your shoulder and slide it further until it burns. You are like a cat in a shaft of sunlight, extending further and further, limbering each sinew until you are ready to switch arms.

2. Activate your recovery

Let your body rebuild. Here’s Ben demonstrating active recovery on a rowing machine while an associate works out in the background.

Related: 8 hot Instagram studs share their best fitness tips to help you build muscle

3. Bear with it

This is the bear crawl move, not to be confused with crawls to bear bars. Don’t forget to breathe while you do this one, because it is required.

4. Fold yourself up

While your muscles are trying to get big, you might want to get small. Here’s star of mat and screen, the Rock himself, folding himself into a compact shape prior to shipping. Remember to glower.

5. Toy soldier dance

? #MobilityMonday with the SLOW-MOTION MARCH! This drill is amazing for activating the glutes, hip flexors, and abs. It also improves rotation through the thoracic spine (upper back) and builds opposing hip separation (reciprocal hip flexion-extension). Focus on pulling your ribs and shoulders down and crunching your abs throughout the drill. Drive the heel of the support leg hard into the ground to activate the glutes. Pull the opposing knee as high as you can without rounding your lower back. Make sure to avoid tilting or turning your hips. I also like to fully twist through the upper back to push the opposing knee and elbow together for best results. The slower the better with this drill as it will really improve mobility, stability, and balance. It also carries over very well to walking, running, lunging, and stepups. Plug this into a warmup or active recovery circuit or use it anytime you're looking for a mini-mobility routine. ————— #Mobility #March #Marching #HipMobility #Warmup #PreWorkout #Running #Walking #Lunges #Stepups #Core #Abs #Posture #TheDailyBJ #BJGaddour #Fitness #Workout #Fitspo #InstaFit #Fitspiration #Performance

A post shared by BJ Gaddour (@bjgaddour) on

Sure it looks goofy, but this slow-motion marching is great for all the little fibers and sacks of goo that make up a human body, particularly around the crunchy bone parts. If it helps, have a friend play a little tooting song on a flute to keep time.

6. Proprioception

Vacay Workout…with recovery built right in. Benefits: Your bed offers a great place to get a quick workout in. Reason: training on an unstable surface like a bed, increases your proprioception which is basically the feedback loop between the body and the brain. You're training your brain to fire more rapidly to make adjustments to the body's position, based on circumstances such as the unstable surface. People think it's joint stability and core strengthening, and of course it is, but it's also the brain telling the body that we have to re-stabilize because what's under us is unstable. #bermuda #core #training #hotelroom #hotelroomworkout #vacay #vibes #healthylifestyle #workout @genuinehealth #ad #breakdancer #jaycardiello #insanity #bed #fitness #training #sleep

A post shared by Jay Cardiello (@jaycardiello) on

At some point, your athletic prowess will be put to the test on a mattress. So what better place to do a little home workout than the bedroom, especially when you are on the road?

7. Flexibility

Learn the art of balance, flexibility, and poise. The crowd will go wild.

8. Never stop moving

? Happy hump day! ?

A post shared by Shaun T (@shaunt) on

Here’s a rapid-fire stomping maneuver to keep the blood pumping. Don’t be afraid to look a little silly — as long as you’re moving, you’re exercising. Every motion is a workout, so make the most of it.

9. Think about what you’re lifting

Mid week, dig deep! #fitness #justdoit

A post shared by Yau Sen Lay / Brendan (@ysl_one) on

Dig deep. Don’t just lift barbells because they’re there. Be mindful and concentrate on every piece of workout equipment you touch. Get to know them, understand what they do, why you lift them, and what you must give back.

10. Handstand & happiness

H O L L O W B A C K As opposed to a #scorpionhandstand which requires a high level of hip and lower back #mobility (but not shoulder mobility), a true #hollowbackhandstand goes through the shoulders as well as the hips and back, with the head pushed through to the top side. The bracing tension to hold a handstand this way is felt in the posterior chain, specifically the rear delts, traps, lats and of course the spinal muscles and core. A scorpion handstand uses more pecs, front delts and anterior chain with hyperextension in the lower back. #Hollowback on a wall is a great training tool for improving your shoulder mobility and also your regular straight #Handstand. Once you get strong on a wall, start training for off the wall! It is a big jump to balance like this without a wall, requiring more coordination, micro-neuromuscular control and strength. We talk about and learn different progression routes for #handstands and more in our Calisthenics Masterclass on Sunday 11 Feb… come and join us we would love to see you there! DM me for more info ??? #bodyweightgurus @bodyweightgurus www.bodyweightgurus.com Parallettes: @gravity.fitness ??????

A post shared by Head Coach @BodyweightGurus® (@rix.official) on

The back of your body will thank you, or at least experience a searing muscular burn, when you hold yourself upside-down on rails. The hollowback handstand concentrates tension around your back, and also heightens the tension of anyone watching you.

11. Appreciate your body

Sometimes it’s important to just stand back and flex and feel good about how you look. You’re doing this for you, so don’t feel shy about thank yourself for all the work you’ve put in. Now that you’ve read through all these tips, you’ve earned it.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated