Ep. 65: Functional Fitness and Body Awareness for Bone Health with Carl Reader

Welcome back to the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast. In Episode 65, host Debi is joined by Functional Movement Coach Carl Reader for an insightful conversation about how to keep our bones strong and healthy through smart, safe exercises. Carl has over 20 years of clinical experience helping men and women over 50 online improve bone health and reduce joint inflammation by teaching them proper body mechanics and functional exercises. In today's episode he brings this experience to the conversation, shedding light on the importance of optimal bone loading and foundational strength. He and Debi discuss the critical role of body awareness and proper muscle engagement in maintaining functional movement and offer practical advice on avoiding common pitfalls in exercise routines . They emphasize the significance of safe and effective exercise techniques to prevent injuries and strengthen vulnerable areas, like the hips and spine. In this episode, Carl and Debi explore various strategies and movements to support bone health, including the importance of core strength, proper squatting techniques, and balancing exercises. Join them as they advocate for a balanced approach to exercise that's rooted in understanding our body's natural movements and needs. Key Takeaways: [1:52] What is a functional movement coach [2:38] Bone health [3:33] Arthritis [6:32] Why does this matter [9:19] The importance of core strength [11:16] The glutes, the hamstrings and other important lower body muscles [15:12] Discovering the correct way to move [17:13] What are the functional movements [19:29] Feet, ankles and knees [34:52] Pushing vs pulling muscles [44:50] Finding neutral spine [49:11] The core [1:03:12] The proper function of a squat [1:11:49] Working with an personal or functional trainer Where to Find Guest: Website Memorable Quotes: " You can still move but let’s just do it in a safe way." [4:34] – Carl "The body is always wanting to heal itself." [15:10] – Carl "Slower is harder, slower is more advanced, slower is more effective, so if you want to be more advanced: go slower." [20:35] – Debi "It doesn't need to be that you're grinning to bear it but rather that you improve the relationship you have with your body." [1:00:52] - Debi "We need more followers for the people teaching the safe movements." [1:15:15] - Debi "Just get moving and don’t live in fear." [1:16:57] - Carl To learn more about me and to stay connected, click on the links below: Instagram: @debirobinsonwellness Website: DebiRobinson.com Healthy Gut Healthy Bones Program