About This Extended Morning Routine
When you have a few extra minutes in the morning, you can do more than just shake off sleep. This extended morning mobility routine adds hip openers, torso circles, and additional joint mobility work that prepares your entire body for whatever the day brings.
What This Routine Targets
This routine expands on basic morning movement by adding exercises that wake up your hips, improve torso rotation, and prepare your knees and ankles for activity. The combination leaves you feeling more thoroughly prepared than a quick shake-out alone.
What’s Included
This seven-minute routine includes thirteen dynamic exercises. You’ll move through side bends and arm swings, progress to hip openers and hamstring movements, and finish with knee and ankle work that completes the head-to-toe wake-up.
Who Should Try This
This routine is perfect when you want more than a quick morning shake but don’t have time for a full workout. It’s especially useful before active days, morning workouts, or whenever you wake up feeling particularly stiff.
Tips for Best Results
Move continuously through each exercise to build heat gradually. The goal is to elevate your heart rate and body temperature while taking every major joint through its range of motion. By the end, you should feel warm and alert.
Dynamic Side Bends
Duration: 0:30
Sway side to side with dynamic bends to loosen your obliques and wake up your core.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed.
- Reach one arm overhead while you lean your torso to the opposite side.
- Return to center and flow to the other side, alternating in a smooth rhythm.
Tips
- Engage your core so the lower back stays supported.
- Move with control and focus on lengthening through the side body.
Adjustments
- Keep the bend shallower if flexibility is limited.
- Slow down the pace to stay balanced and precise.
Arm Circles
Duration: 0:30
Spin your arms through smooth circles to flood the shoulders with warmth before bigger efforts.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and stretch your arms straight out to the sides.
- Draw small forward circles with both arms, gradually letting the circles get bigger as the joints loosen.
- At the halfway point, reverse the direction and spin the circles backward with the same control.
Tips
- Keep shoulders relaxed away from your ears while you move.
- Move at a steady tempo so the rotator cuff muscles have time to engage.
Adjustments
- Bend your elbows slightly and keep the circles smaller if the shoulders feel tight.
Arm Swings
Duration: 0:30
Loosen the chest and back with rhythmic arm swings that feel almost like a hug every single rep.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and arms stretched out to the sides.
- Swing both arms forward to cross in front of your chest, alternating which arm lands on top.
- Open the arms back out wide and keep the movement flowing in a relaxed rhythm.
Tips
- Start slow to feel the stretch, then let the pace build as your shoulders warm up.
- Keep shoulders low and breathe steadily so the motion stays smooth.
Adjustments
- Shorten the swing if any tightness shows up in the chest or upper back.
Good Mornings
Duration: 0:30
Hinge through your hips with hands behind your head to stretch hamstrings and wake up your posterior chain.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and lace your fingers behind your head.
- Hinge forward at the hips, sending your seat back while keeping your spine long.
- Rise back to standing with control and repeat for your set.
Tips
- Maintain a neutral spine instead of rounding your back.
- Engage your core and keep a soft bend in the knees to protect your joints.
Adjustments
- Limit the depth of the hinge if your hamstrings feel tight.
- Rest hands on thighs for support when you need it.
Trunk Twist
Duration: 0:30
Stand tall and twist through your trunk to warm up your spine and core.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms extended at shoulder height.
- Engage your core and gently twist your upper body to one side, looking over your shoulder.
- Return to center and repeat on the other side in a smooth rhythm.
Tips
- Keep knees softly bent and hips facing forward.
Adjustments
- Keep your arms bent with hands on hips for a lighter option.
Neck Roll
Duration: 0:30
Roll your head gently side to side to release tension through your neck and shoulders.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit tall with shoulders relaxed.
- Lower your chin toward your chest, then roll your head toward one shoulder so the ear hovers over it.
- Return through center and repeat toward the other shoulder, continuing in a slow rhythm.
Tips
- Move slowly to avoid strain or dizziness.
- Stop short of full circles to keep the neck happy.
Adjustments
- Keep the range of motion smaller if you experience discomfort.
Hip Circles
Duration: 0:30
Draw smooth circles with your hips to mobilize the pelvis and lower back before deeper work.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and hands resting on your hips.
- Slowly rotate your hips in a circular motion, tracing a wide circle in one direction.
- After several reps, switch directions to balance the movement.
Tips
- Keep your core engaged to support the lower back.
- Maintain soft knees rather than locking them out.
Adjustments
- Shrink the circle if your range of motion feels limited today.
Hamstring Scoops
Duration: 0:30
Sweep one leg forward and scoop through a hinge to stretch your hamstrings while warming the core.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with hands on your hips.
- Step one foot forward, planting the heel and lifting the toes.
- Hinge at the hips and sweep both hands down toward the front foot as if scooping up the floor.
- Return to standing and repeat before switching legs halfway through.
Tips
- Maintain a long spine instead of rounding your back.
- Brace your core to stay balanced during the hinge.
Adjustments
- Keep the hinge shallow if your hamstrings feel tight.
- Hold a wall or chair for balance support.
- Move slowly to stay in control of the stretch.
Gate Opener
Duration: 0:30
Swing your hip like you are stepping over a fence to lubricate the joint and fire up glute stabilizers.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand beside a wall or chair and place your hand on it for balance.
- Shift weight into the leg closest to the support with a soft bend in the knee.
- Lift the opposite leg as if stepping over a gate, opening the hip outward before placing the foot back down.
- Reverse the motion to close the gate and continue flowing back and forth.
Tips
- Keep the standing leg active and upright to support the movement.
- Let the motion stay smooth and controlled rather than swinging wildly.
- Focus on moving from the hip joint while your torso stays steady.
Adjustments
- Lift the leg lower if opening wide feels challenging today.
Dynamic Wide Leg Forward Fold
Duration: 0:30
Flow in and out of a wide-leg fold to lengthen hamstrings and decompress your lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with a wide stance and hands on your hips.
- Hinge forward from your hips, lowering your torso toward the floor while keeping your spine long.
- Rise back up to standing and repeat in a smooth, controlled rhythm.
Tips
- Keep knees soft but active so the legs stay strong.
- Engage your core to protect the lower back.
- Let your neck stay in line with your spine as you fold.
Adjustments
- Limit the depth of the fold if hamstrings feel tight.
- Rest hands on blocks, a chair, or thighs for extra support.
- Add a slight knee bend if you need more space in the hamstrings.
Wide Leg Torso Circles
Duration: 0:30
Draw big circles with your torso while in a wide stance to mobilize your hips and lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet wide and hands on your hips.
- Hinge at your hips and rotate your torso in a controlled circular pattern.
- Switch directions halfway through your set.
Tips
- Engage your core to support your lower back.
- Maintain a slight bend in your knees to protect your joints.
Adjustments
- Make smaller circles if a full range feels uncomfortable.
- Reduce how far you hinge forward if balance is a challenge.
Knees Hugs
Duration: 0:30
Give each knee a hug to loosen your hips and lower back while practicing balance.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed.
- Shift weight onto one foot and pull the opposite knee toward your chest with both hands.
- Hold for a beat, lower the leg, and repeat on the other side.
Tips
- Keep a soft bend in the standing leg for balance.
- Lift through your chest and stay upright as you hug the knee.
Adjustments
- Use a wall or chair for balance if needed.
- Lift the knee only as high as feels comfortable today.
Knee Circles
Duration: 0:30
Lubricate your knees with gentle circles that warm the joint before you get moving.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and place your hands on your knees.
- Bend your knees slightly and move both knees together in small circles.
- After several repetitions, reverse direction to balance the movement.
Tips
- Keep the motion smooth and controlled to respect the joint.
Adjustments
- Slow down the pace if you need extra control or confidence.
Energized for the Day
Finish upright with lungs open and energy flowing. A thorough morning routine sets a positive tone that carries through your entire day.
Make this routine part of active mornings when you know you’ll need your body to perform. The extra investment of time pays off in better movement quality and more energy throughout the day.
