Recent studies show that being able to get off the ground is a key factor in living longer. A research study conducted by Brazilian physician Claudio Gil Araujo and published in the European Journal of Cardiology followed over 2,000 adults ages 51 to 80 for an average of 6+ years. Each volunteer was asked to sit down on the floor and then get up, using the least amount of support possible from hands, knees, and other body parts.
 
Researchers used a point system where 10 was a perfect score. One point was deducted each time the person used a hand, knee, or other body part to get up or down. Half a point was deducted for wobbling. If the person could not get up and down, they received a score of zero. Dr. Araujo determined that people who scored fewer than eight points on the test were twice as likely to die within the next six years compared with those who scored higher. Those who scored three or fewer points were more than five times as likely to die within the same period compared with those who scored more than eight points. In the end, each positive point value meant a 21% decrease in mortality (lower risk of dying).
 
The ability to get up from the floor – a deceptively simple measure of flexibility, strength, and balance – can help predict who will live longer and whose lives will be cut short.
 
WHAT EXERCISES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
Exercises that involve getting up off of the floor are collectively referred to as “ground to standing” movement patterns. Whenever we do a burpee or stand up from a downward facing dog, we are moving through a “ground to standing” pattern. These patterns also exist in daily life, including sitting with children on the floor or kneeling down to pick something up.
 
Though it may appear to be an easy task, getting down to the ground and back up again becomes more difficult with age. No matter what your age, it is important to develop and maintain the strength and mobility to perform “ground to standing” patterns for the rest of your life!
 
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Group fitness programs that incorporate “ground to standing” patterns are a great strategy for maintaining and improving your ability to get up and down from the ground. These movements may feel awkward at first, but they will help you maintain a healthy measure of strength and mobility as you age.
 
Whether you like to lifts weights in Group Power, get your sweat on in Group Fight, or combine cardio and strength in Group Active, every workout you do teaches you to be a better mover, improving your overall quality of life. And our new VIPR Move class is perfect for teaching everyone to move better.  

ViPR Move, the newest addition to our FREE Group Fitness schedule is for anybody looking to improve their overall movement health, to move better, with ease and less restriction and discomfort. This could be someone looking to build their movement confidence and start an exercise program, or even an individual who is already active but needs to spend time reconditioning their body to help prevent pain or injury.

Unlike ViPR Workout (30-minute high intensity class on the upgraded unlimited membership only) ViPR Move slows it down and focuses on the movement and how to move properly so that you don’t injure yourself. We are featuring several launch classes during medical fitness week and will be adding ViPR Move to our Group Fitness Class Schedule (free to all members) effective May 14.