There are a few simple exercises that, if carried out correctly, can help prevent injury in other areas of training by allowing you to spot where and when you are weak.

Amongst my favourites are:

Kettlebell swings. Preferably a full range of motion. http://www.catalystathletics.com/exercises/exercise.php?exerciseID=251These work pretty much everything and can be used for strength, conditioning, warmup, incredibly useful.

Turkish getups. http://www.catalystathletics.com/exercises/exercise.php?exerciseID=255 They look simple but demand huge range of motion and coordination of all the major joints to be successful.

Single arm overhead squats. http://www.catalystathletics.com/exercises/exercise.php?exerciseID=236 Another all over body exercise which will make everything fire in the correct sequence.

Dead hang pull ups http://www.catalystathletics.com/exercises/exercise.php?exerciseID=39

Mountain climbers, just to finish off http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J4hRICVjRo Focusing on maintaining a stable trunk throughout the movement.

By doing these as a circuit, ensuring good form at all times, they should prepare you for any other, more focused gym work or training you wish to do. Or, if you’re time compressed, just doing a 10 minute of a few of them (not everybody has a suitable pull up station in their home) will bring huge benefits.

One of the best resources for improving mobility is Mobility WOD, which has hundreds of excellent videos for fixing all the areas you may feel are restricted.

And if in doubt, come and see us for a full assessment of the issues.