Can you do a “Turkish Get Up”?
Want to know how?
Really. You have never heard of the Turkish Get Up (TGU)? Wait. You’ve never done one! Well are you in for a treat today. Here is a movement that encompasses nearly all of the movements you can do in one. It is also critical for you to be able to do properly at any age.
The Importance of the Turkish Get Up:
-Must be able to complete lunge, push, pull, twist and bend (if there were a squat it would be complete) at some point during exercise. All of these are essential to movement at any part of life. We never stop going up or down stairs or pulling open doors. When we do stop doing these things what has happened to our quality of life?
-Requires mastery of movement of your own bodyweight. If you can’t move your own body properly then you will really break down with any external forces. This teaches you to do so with plenty of room for
-Mobility at multiple joints must be maintained. If this exercise is complete barefoot you must have proper motion of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, entire spine, ribs, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. Did I miss any? See for yourself if you have any tightness or restrictions
-People are often worried of falls when they age. By being able to complete a TGU you can always lift your own bodyweight off of the floor even if there is nothing to grab on to and there is nobody around. Learn to do it safely first.
Whether you want to make sure that you have proper motion of all of your joints, increase your strength or just be able to get up if you fall then the TGU is a great exercise for you. It is time to get out there and start practicing. If you can’t do one yet and need some coaching then stop in or give us a call to set up an appointment. There are many factors that could be limiting this movement for you and it is always important to have these checked out by a professional.
