Strengthen your base with the Aithos Jaro, keeping the ankles that hold you up strong and flexible. Everyone needs strong ankles for better performance in sports, running, or preventing falls as we get older. Use the Jaro to increase your ankle strength and mobility for better balance and stability. Ankle flexion exercises will help increase your foot’s range of motion when flexing. This helps with improving your form when squatting or lunging.
STEPS
- Anchor a resistance band to some point two to three times the length of the resistance band from where you will be sitting. Then, assume a seated position on the floor while extending one leg out in front you and bending the other with your foot on the floor. Next, attach a resistance band to the toe port of your shoe on the extended leg. Afterwards, you should feel the resistance pulling your foot away from you.
- Start with your toes pointing forward away from you (plantarflexion) and slowly flex your foot towards you (dorsiflexion). Repeat for 5-10 reps by slowly returning to the starting position, controlling the speed of movement throughout the rep.
NOTES
Maintain good posture by sitting upright with your hands on the floor and keeping a straight back. The movement comes from your ankle and foot, try to avoid any bending of your knee during the movement. Also, keeping track of the distance from your extended foot’s heal to the anchor point will help with repeatability of the exercise using a similar level of resistance.
