# Too inflexible to do assisted standups - any alternatives?

**URL:** <https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982>\
**Category:** Training Q&A\
**Created:** [September 28, 2022, 9:38am UTC](https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982 "2022-09-28T09:38:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tinav](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.freeletics.com/tinav/32/1259_2.png) [@tinav](https://forum.freeletics.com/u/tinav)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 9:38am UTC](https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982/1 "2022-09-28T09:38:55Z")

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Hi everyone!

I have (re)started Freeletics 3 weeks ago and already feel much stronger! I struggled with some of the exercises in the beginning, but then as I get stronger am able to do them.

My problem is that every warmup and the occasional workout contain assisted standups and I still can’t do them. I have watched a couple of YouTube videos and it seems the main problem is that I can’t get my heels close enough to my butt. I am an runner and incredibly inflexible, so no surprise there. Based on the Youtube videos, I should work on stretches to bring my heels in more.

So the question is: **What can I do during the workouts instead of assisted standups while I work on my flexibility? Is there an even easier progression below standups and assisted standups, or something to help with flexibility?**

What I have tried:

- Standing up to the left or right, basically by using one arm more than the other.
- Crossing my legs so that they can come in closer to my butt. This works best if I do them unassisted but hurts the side of my feet because I am standing up on them.

Any thoughts on an exercise to do during the workouts that will eventually make me better at standups?

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**Author:** ![avg\_Santiago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@avg\_Santiago](https://forum.freeletics.com/u/avg_Santiago)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982/2 "2022-09-28T13:16:22Z")

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In my case I struggled more doing assisted stand ups than a regular stand up.

This are some things I found useful for doing the assisted ones:

- doing it barefoot instead of with training shoes.
- I found really challenging using my hands to help myself get up. Instead, I found using my fists to help myself stand up way better, it gave me more support and a couple more inches in my reach.
- Building momentum is key.

Hope this helps you.

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**Author:** ![tinav](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.freeletics.com/tinav/32/1259_2.png) [@tinav](https://forum.freeletics.com/u/tinav)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982/3 "2022-09-28T13:36:53Z")

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I have tried barefoot and momentum (without much success 😃 ), but never thought of using fists! I am going to try that in my next workout!

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**Author:** ![thodges314\_freeletic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@thodges314\_freeletic](https://forum.freeletics.com/u/thodges314_freeletic)\
**Post date:** [June 18, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.freeletics.com/t/too-inflexible-to-do-assisted-standups-any-alternatives/3982/4 "2023-06-18T21:00:42Z")

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Were you successful? I am also super clumsy with assisted standups. I don’t think it’s because I’m over 40, either, I’m pretty sure I would have been just as clumsy in my 20s.