The age-defying exercise guru bouncing off old age
Age defying health guru Wayne Lèal joins us to reveal how you can, quite literally, bounce off old age with some trampolining tricks. Wayne, who just turned 65, has launched a book called Meta-Age showing how you can extend midlife and shorten old age. Wayne also talks us through his six one-minute exercises guaranteed, he claims, to knock the years off.
Wayne's "super six” exercises:
1. Health Bounce - This warms up the body for exercise, and gets you used to the soft surface of the rebounder. You can move freely, using a range of different motions.
2. Single Leg Balance - Stand on one leg. Stretch the other out in front of you and tap your toes on the edge. Do the same backwards then repeat for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg for 30 seconds. This will increase your stability, and strengthen muscles that hold you up in a position of imbalance.
3. Squats - There are three levels of this squat, ranging from highest to deepest. Squat part way down, and then decrease the level until you reach a potty position. This engages your leg muscles as well as your core, and promotes complete bodily function.
4. Push Ups - On the floor adopt the push up position with knees down or in a... plank. but keep your hands on the rebounder. Do as many press-ups as you can. When you grow more confident try plank presses - holding a high plank then pulsing. If you struggle to do this at first, try using a wall and keep your elbows parallel and lower your chest.
5. Bird Dog - Lift and extend your right leg and left arm and hold for five seconds, ensuring a straight line from hand to heel, then repeat on the other side. Keep alternating. When you're ready, balance on your knees. This encourages core stability, balance and back mobility.
6. Cat Cow - Back on the rebounder, get down on all fours. Flex your spine into a cat pose, tucking your chin in to stretch your neck. Then invert that stretch for the cow pose, lifting your head into the air. This exercise is about breath awareness, which promotes overall movement