Towel exercise helps you lose weight, promotes metabolism and enhances memory

In the hot summer, lack of exercise can easily lead to weight gain. Doctors say that towels, which are readily available at home, can be used at any time to stretch the muscles and ligaments of the body, increase joint mobility, and promote metabolism. It is suitable for office workers who stare at computers and maintain a fixed posture every day, and the elderly can also try it. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women to engage in strenuous floor flipping exercises to avoid affecting the safety of the fetus.

Doctor Zhang Qiongwen personally demonstrated the towel exercise. The doctor raised both hands, used the right hand to pull to the right, and bent the waist to the right at the same time. The left hand applied a reaction force, pulling each other to help shape the waist. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

Dr. Zhang Qiongwen, a family medicine doctor at Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, pointed out that the towel exercise is simple and easy to learn. For office workers who sit for a long time and do not exercise, it is a healthy exercise that does not cost a lot of money and does not require a large space.

Before doing the towel exercise, you must first choose a long towel, hold the towel with both hands to leave a fist width, remember to straighten it, exhale when exerting force, and inhale when relaxing. Hold each movement for 4 to 5 seconds, and continue each movement for 20 minutes until your body becomes hot and sweaty.

Dr. Zhang Qiongwen said that the towel is a bit like a suspension system in physical therapy, which has the effects of pulling, resistance and chest expansion. There are 5 steps to the standing towel exercise. The first step is "starting position", holding the towel with both hands, about one fist width apart; the second step is to raise both hands, use the right hand to pull to the right side, bend the waist to the right at the same time, and use the left hand to apply a reaction force, pulling each other; the third step is to use the left hand to pull to the left side, bend the waist to the left at the same time, and use the right hand to apply a reaction force, pulling each other.

Step 4: Raise both hands horizontally in front of the chest, use the right hand to pull toward the right and back, turn the face to the back, but do not turn the body, use the left hand to apply a reaction force, and pull each other; Step 5: Raise both hands horizontally in front of the chest, use the left hand to pull toward the left and back, turn the face to the back, but do not turn the body, use the right hand to apply a reaction force, and pull each other.

Towel exercises are actually based on stretching exercises, and the main movements are to "pull" and "tug" the towel. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

When lying down, relax your whole body. Doctor Zhang Qiongwen pointed out that the towel exercise has three steps while lying flat. The first step is "lifting legs". Lie flat on your feet first, clamp a towel at your knees, lift your feet high, and put them flat, lift them up and down, repeat 20 times, adjust your breathing, and rest for a while if you feel uncomfortable. The second step is "sitting flat". Put a towel dipped in water on your head to help prevent heatstroke.

At this time, use two fingers to massage the "temples" (both sides of the earlobes), "Baihui point" (top of the head), and "Fengchi point" (back of the head) clockwise to enhance memory and help the body's immune function. Step 3: "Rotation". Sit cross-legged, hold up the towel with both hands, and swing your waist left and right. This will help shape your waist.

Doctor Zhang Qiongwen emphasized that towel exercises are actually evolved from stretching exercises. They mainly involve "pulling" and "tugging" the towel. When stretching, just add a towel. People can pull and increase the strength of this "prop", thereby making the stretching exercise more effective.

Don't underestimate the inconspicuous towel. If you know how to use it, you can expand the space for activities of your usually stiff limbs, and even make your movements more precise and complete. It can help stretch the body's muscle groups and ligaments and increase the range of motion of the joints. It is suitable for office workers who are tired from staring at the computer and maintaining a fixed posture every day.