Before doing any form of exercise it is a good idea to “warm up” your muscles and joints particularly if you are over 30.
If these exercise cause you pain or giddiness STOP!
A brisk walk for 5-10 minutes is always a good starter followed by the following gentle stretch exercises:-
1) Shoulder Rotations
Touch your right shoulder with the finger tips of your right hand.
“Draw” a big circle slowly with you elbow tip.
Rotate forwards 10 times. Rotate backwards 10 times.
Repeat with left shoulder if needed.
2) Shoulder Shrugs Gently raise your shoulders together towards your ears. Now move both shoulders in a cylindrical fashion,…… forward, down, back and return to the top.
Repeat this forwards 5 times and backwards 5 times.
3) Neck Stretches This is a powerful exercise and must be done slowly, gently and with caution! a) Turn your head gently to the right, as far as it will go comfortably, hold for 5 seconds.
b) Turn your head gently to the left, as far as it will go comfortably, hold for 5 seconds.
c) Sidebend your head to the right, as far as it will go comfortably, hold for 5 seconds.
d) Sidebend your head to the left, as far as it will go comfortably, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat above 5 times. If you feel any discomfort or giddiness STOP!
4) Wrist Exercises Hold the Wii control and slowly rotate it in a circular motion like a wand. 10 times clockwise, 10 times anticlockwise.
And don’t forget to take frequent breaks during your play as Nintendo recommend!
The Wii can be a great source of exercise and IS GREAT FUN! So enjoy your play safely!