When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
No matter how much I work on them, theyre always my most problematic of thebig 5 lifts.
While scrolling through thePliabilitymobility app recently, I found the Live Below Parallel path.
(Image credit: Future)
Could it be the answer to all my squat prayers?
Heres my results so far.
What is the Live Below Parallel squat series?
(Image credit: Future)
Theres also some focus work on the IT band, plusbreathworkwhile you hold each pose.
Before we dive in, these stretches arent designed to be easy.
At no point should it feel like a cruise, nor should you be experiencing out-and-out pain.
For instance, I like to keep things under a 4/10 in the pain sector.
Remember, its normal, and the feeling will pass, so just focus on your breathing.
Frog pose
To make the exercise easier, bring your feet closer together.
The inner knees and ankles should make contact with the mat.
Thefrog poseis the ultimate groin opener and can even improve symptoms of sciatica.
Bound angle pose
Place a block beneath your forehead or bum for extra support and a more passive stretch.
The bound angle, similar to thebutterfly pose, targets the groin, hips and lower back.
you’re free to also position a block along your spine or under the midback and shoulders.
Avoid forcing your knees down.
The saddle is great for the quads, knees, ankles, spine and hips.
Trainer tips
I like to adjust postures to suit my ability and personal mechanics.
The beauty of all of these poses is that theyre easy to modify to your ability.
(Image credit: Future)
For example, bound angle can be done whether or not your knees touch the ground.
Youll still get a deep groin stretch without jamming your knees.
Ive been following the path for three weeks and plan to continually cycle it.
(Image credit: Future)
Here are my results so far.
More from Tom’s Guide
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
