Five stretches you should be doing every day, according to a flexibility expert

 If you want to add some mood-boosting movement into your day but for whatever reason, you don’t always manage to get a workout in, you don’t necessarily need to commit to a long run or sweaty HIIT session. Stretching can be a welcome alternative, helping soothe sore muscles and providing a welcome break from the stresses of a busy schedule. Everyone can benefit from stretching and the good news is that it’s easy to do.

If you’re wondering where to start, why not try this seven-minute routine from flexibility expert Tom Merrick – better known to his one million YouTube subscribers as the Bodyweight Warrior?

“For most people, the biggest benefit they’re going to get from [stretching to develop] flexibility is that feeling of losing restriction and gaining freedom to be able to move, even if that’s just bending over to pick up something or play with the kids,” he says.

Below, Merrick has shared five stretches he does every day and recommends for everyone to ease tight hips, improve shoulder health and improve flexibility in knees, hips and ankles.