You can do simple workouts for your flexibility and strength, even in the smallest hotel rooms. I do this every morning and do all the exercises for thirty seconds, since I don’t have the patience to do them any longer. If you notice that you have frequent stiffness, aches, and general discomfort in your back, shoulders, hips, or legs, try a series of deep tissue massages with a good physical therapist who can identify areas that need work. It will also correct any poor posture issues you are developing when shooting. Tell him what you do and how you get up and work during the day. He will point out the areas of your body that need work. A key problem for videographers is that they lean over the camera all day and hold it on the shoulder to work with their hand. It is this combination that can affect your posture and lead to back problems.
Kneel on the floor with your arms supporting you and your back flat. Then just push your back up so there is an arch in your spine. Hold for 30 seconds.
A good one to help ease a day of filming and any stiff lower back. Lie down on the floor and rotate your left leg to the right side of your body while your left arm remains pointing to the left side. Do the same with your other side; 30 seconds each side should do it.
Stand with your legs slightly apart. Slide your left hand and arm down the left side to around the knee area, lifting your right arm as you go. Hold for 20 seconds, then breathe out and press a little more for the next 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side. This is great for increasing your flexibility.
Leaning over cameras all day combined with handheld shooting will do nothing for your posture. And poor posture can lead to back problems. This exercise helps correct rounded shoulders and realigns them. Stand up, place your hands on the back of your hips, and push your shoulder blades back. Hold for 30 seconds.
Stand straight, with your hand on your right hip, and tilt your neck to the right. Hold for 30 seconds, return to the upright position, and do the same with the other side.
