Whether you’re a devoted athlete or just starting to take your personal health and well-being more seriously, there’s a good chance that you’ve suffered from an achilles tendon injury, shin splints, calf strains, or one of the many other foot or ankle injuries out there.
Let’s start with the basics.
You’ll notice that your slant board has 4 customizable settings with varying angles. As a general rule, it’s best to start off by using the mildest incline to begin getting acquainted with the board itself.
Now that you’ve got the board set-up in the desired angle, simply place it flat on the ground and step onto it, ensuring that your feet are firmly placed on the bottom of the base.
If you find that you’re having a difficult time staying balanced, feel free to reposition the board next to a couch or handrail so you have something to brace yourself against. The key to this exercise is being able to focus entirely on the stretching of the muscles, not your balance.
Find yourself in a comfortable, upright position. Take note of your breathing and focus on becoming incredibly relaxed.
Once you’ve become familiar with the slant board, there are plenty of other opportunities to level up and get an even deeper stretch.
Onto a slightly more rigorous way to use your slant board.
Choose your desired slant level and get on the board just as you did with the previous exercise.
Now we’re ready to take things up another notch. Remember to keep your legs in a straight position and your upper body in an upright position. As you’re keeping your chest open, begin to bend at the waist until you start to feel the “burn” within your hamstring muscles.
Once you’ve reached a position that you’re comfortable with, allow yourself to dangle your arms in front of you while focusing on breathing in deeply.
If you enjoy this stretch and want another effective way to target those hard-to-stretch muscles in your outer leg, try alternating the stretch like so:
End your stretching session on the right note.
Finally, a great way to wrap-up your stretching session is by incorporating a side stretch called the half-moon bend.
Stay standing on the slant board and put your hands together above your head like so:
Now, simply begin pushing one hip to the side and slowly alternate between each side. If you feel like this isn’t doing enough for you, feel free to increase the incline of the slant board.
For additional ways to create a healthier you, check out the StrongTek Fitness Academy for more resources on fun and challenging exercises you can do at home or on the go!