Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Dumbbell, Fixed support and Clear space; Stable wall for supplementary exercises
- Before you choose
- Choose a variation and load you can control. Match the range to your ability.
- Intensity
- Keep 2–3 reps in reserve and extend rest if needed.
- Warm-up
- Before the session, complete one gentle round of the three listed movements. Allow about 6 minutes for preparation, transitions and rehearsing the first exercise; extend this if needed. Rehearse the first exercise with light resistance before its sets, keeping breathing comfortable.
Duration is approximate. Prepare your equipment and take the indicated rests; needing more rest can make the workout longer.
PREPARE TO MOVEYour warm-up
Start with this gentle preparation before your working sets. The listed duration includes the warm-up.
Knee-raise march
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Stand in a clear area to march on the spot or move slowly forward. Raise one knee comfortably, coordinating the opposite arm. Place the foot down with control and alternate in a steady rhythm.
What you train: Trains arm-leg coordination and balance while raising each knee.
Watch video ↗Supported toe raise
1 × 5 gentle repetitions per side
Stand beside a fixed support with both heels grounded. Lift the fronts of your feet without shifting your body back. Slowly lower until your whole feet rest on the floor.
What you train: Strengthens the front lower-leg muscles that lift your toes while walking.
Watch video ↗Supported calf raise
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Stand beside a firm support with weight shared between both feet. Slowly raise both heels without shifting forward. Lower with control until your whole feet are grounded.
What you train: Strengthens the calves and trains ankle control when rising onto your toes.
Watch video ↗
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
9 exercises01Supported ankle mobility
1 × 6 each side
How to do it- Place one foot near a wall with the whole sole grounded.
- Move your knee forward in line with your toes, keeping the heel down.
- Return slowly and repeat with the other ankle.
What it trainsTrains ankle mobility with the foot grounded.
- Rest
- Rest about 20 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
With your foot planted near a wall, move your knee forwards without lifting your heel. Return and repeat.
Technique cueStay within a comfortable range; your knee need not touch the wall.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move your foot closer to the wall.
- To progress
- Move your foot slightly further away if you can keep your heel down.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing your ankle or rotating your foot to gain distance.
View exercise guide ↗02Controlled lateral movement
3 × 20 s
How to do it- Stand on level ground with clear space on both sides.
- Take short, controlled sideways steps without crossing your feet.
- Brake to a steady stop, then change direction.
What it trainsTrains sideways movement, braking and foot placement.
- Rest
- Rest about 45 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Take short sideways steps on level ground. Control your stop and change direction without crossing your feet.
Technique cueStart slowly; increase speed only while your footwork stays controlled.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Walk sideways more slowly.
- To progress
- Increase your speed a little if you can slow down with control.
- Avoid this mistake
- Prioritising speed before controlling your stopping movement.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Hold a dumbbell at your chest, feet comfortably apart.
- Send your hips back and bend your knees, keeping your balance.
- Push through both feet to stand with control.
What it trainsStrengthens the quadriceps and glutes while your trunk supports the weight.
- Rest
- Rest about 75 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Keep your feet planted and hold a dumbbell close to your chest. Bend your hips and knees with control, then push through the floor to stand.
Technique cueKeep your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Squat to a chair without added weight.
- To progress
- Add a one-second pause at the bottom before standing.
- Avoid this mistake
- Lifting your heels or dropping without control.
View exercise guide ↗04Reverse lunge
2 × 6 each side
How to do it- Stand with your feet comfortably apart.
- Step back and bend both knees to lower your pelvis with control.
- Push through the front foot to return; steady yourself before alternating.
What it trainsStrengthens the glutes and quadriceps and trains balance while stepping back.
- Rest
- Rest about 60 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Step backwards, bend both knees and return to your starting stance. Alternate sides, pausing in a stable position.
Technique cueKeep the front knee following the direction of your foot.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Do a supported split squat.
- To progress
- Add dumbbells while maintaining the same control.
- Avoid this mistake
- Rushing the movement or letting your knee collapse inwards.
View exercise guide ↗05Supported calf-raise hold
2 × 20 s
How to do it- Stand beside a firm support with weight shared between both feet.
- Raise both heels to a comfortable height for the prescribed hold.
- Breathe throughout and lower your heels slowly.
What it trainsTrains calf endurance through a stationary heel-raise hold.
- Rest
- Rest about 45 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Raise your heels with stable support and hold a comfortable position for a few seconds. Lower slowly.
Technique cueFinish before you start losing ankle stability.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Keep both feet supported and shorten the hold.
- To progress
- Alternate placing a little more weight on each leg.
- Avoid this mistake
- Holding until you lose control of your ankle.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Place your hands on the wall at chest height and step slightly back.
- Bend your elbows to bring your chest towards the wall, keeping your body aligned.
- Push away to straighten your arms and return.
What it trainsStrengthens the chest, triceps and shoulders with less load than floor push-ups.
- Rest
- Rest about 45 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Place your hands at chest height. Bend your elbows to move towards the wall, then push back to the start.
Technique cueMove your whole body together, rather than just your head.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move your feet closer to the wall.
- To progress
- Progress to a lower, fixed surface.
- Avoid this mistake
- Letting your waist sag or moving only your head forwards.
View exercise guide ↗07Suitcase carry
2 × 25 s each side
How to do it- Hold a dumbbell at one side in a clear space.
- Walk slowly with regular steps and an upright trunk.
- Stop with control and change hands.
What it trainsStrengthens grip and trains the trunk to resist an uneven load while walking.
- Rest
- Rest about 45 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Walk slowly through a clear area holding a dumbbell at one side. Switch hands when you finish.
Technique cueKeep your shoulders level even though only one side carries weight.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the weight and distance.
- To progress
- Increase the time a little while maintaining a natural walking pattern.
- Avoid this mistake
- Leaning your body to compensate for the weight.
View exercise guide ↗08Shoulder circles
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- Sit or stand with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- Make small, slow shoulder circles backwards.
- Reverse direction, then let your shoulders relax.
What it trainsGently mobilises the shoulders and shoulder blades before activity.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sitting or standing, let your arms relax. Make small, slow circles with your shoulders backwards, then forwards.
Technique cueKeep your head still and breathe naturally.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Make smaller circles.
- To progress
- Make the circles larger only within a comfortable range of movement.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving abruptly or tensing your neck.
View exercise guide ↗09Unloaded hip hinge
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- Stand a short distance in front of a wall, facing away, knees slightly bent.
- Send your hips back to lightly touch the wall as you hinge forward.
- Push through your feet to stand without moving them.
What it trainsTeaches hip-back movement and trunk coordination before loaded hinging.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Stand with your back a short distance from a wall. With your knees slightly bent, push your hips back until they brush the wall, then stand upright again.
Technique cueUse the wall as a hip reference, not a place to drop your weight.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move closer to the wall and reduce the range of movement.
- To progress
- Move your feet a little further away; then practise without touching the wall.
- Avoid this mistake
- Bending only your back or turning the movement into a deep squat.
View exercise guide ↗
FINISH THE SESSIONFinish and prepare your next step.
Finish with 3 minutes of gentle movement. Duration is approximate: extend breaks when needed and review recovery.
How to progress
First complete repetitions with good technique. In another session increase only reps, range or a small amount of load. Reduce work if recovery worsens.
Open workout in the app →General routines for adults. If you have a health condition, an injury, are pregnant or have medical instructions, consult your professional before starting and ask for adaptations. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.