Fitness Cue promotes improved flexibility for people of all fitness levels

Stuck at a desk all day, trapped in the car on long commutes, hours spent in front of a television — it’s no wonder so many of us suffer from tight and achy muscles.

"In almost everything we do, the elbows are bent and the back is rounded," said personal trainer Li Si Yang. "As we get older, we lose range of motion. Our bodies become out of alignment because most of us are unaware of our poor posture and habits throughout the day."

To help people loosen up, Yan developed the Fitness Cue. The device looks like a pool cue but with specially patented grooves and two fabric sleeves. To use the cue, hold it horizontally with arms extended, one hand on each sleeve. Slide the hands out and in to stretch and achieve better body alignment. The same motion can be used in different body positions, and lunges and leg lifts can be added to increase the level of difficulty.

"It acts as a reminder to go back to the basics when it comes to taking care of our body," she said.

The Fitness Cue weighs between 3 1⁄2 to 4 pounds, and you can really feel the burn when using it. Yang introduced the product at the Hono­lulu Marathon Expo in December. She said she got the idea to create the cue after taking a martial arts class that included work with fighting sticks.

"Posture and flexibility issues restrict people from exercising or doing anything," she said. "When you have tight muscles, you don’t want to move. That’s when people tend to get injured."

Yang said the Fitness Cue can be used by inactive seniors and sedentary folks to get them moving, and by athletes to warm up and work on form and specific muscles. It can also be incorporated into yoga routines.

The stick, which costs $300, comes apart and can be stored in a portable case. It also comes with instructional DVDs and a foam roller.

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Fitness Cue classes are held at the Still & Moving Center, 1024 Queen St.; call 397-7678. For private sessions at Yang’s studio, Journey to Fitness, call 226-4653.