There's more to flexibility than being able to touch your toes or binding your arm around your leg. In fact, flexibility enables you to do everyday tasks without pain or restriction — and it comes in many forms.

​In fact, yogis contorting their bodies into different shapes isn't the norm. In reality, there's no set standard for flexibility. Everyone from pro runners and weight lifters to the average athlete needs to be flexible to help prevent injury and move with ease.

Fortunately, anyone and everyone can work toward better flexibility, and the key is to make it a bigger part of your workout routine. Here, we'll walk you through exactly how to do that with this comprehensive guide to flexibility.

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By Sarah Stiefvater PureWow

In-person exercise classes are popping up around New York City for you to get active and some fresh air. While our Zoom classes have been amazing keeping us active indoors and mentally sane, many of us still miss being able to go to our favorite studios and work out in person with others. Luckily, many studios have adapted to the outdoors and some indoor gyms are even getting ready to welcome their members back at limited capacity. If you are looking to get out for some exercise, browse through our roundup of outdoor exercise classes.

**Please check the website for updates before heading to a class.**
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​When leg day rolls around, it can be tempting to play it safe and stick to what you know. Squat, lunge, press, repeat. But there are a ton of other moves out there that are equally beneficial and, arguably, way more fun. Plus, we all know that a workout routine is only as good as it is varied. To really challenge our bodies and bring about change, it’s imperative that we switch things up both in the gym and at home. (It’ll also help you avoid injuries, as well as the dreaded workout boredom.) So, if you’re in need of a little inspiration, we’re happy to oblige. Here are 34 lower body exercises you can try right now. Choose a handful you love and let’s get moving.
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​One of the best low-impact ways to fire up your glutes for a tight, toned booty is barre, which not only targets your butt muscles with smaller movements so you really feel the burn but also improves balance, range of motion, posture, strength and endurance without straining your joints.

​"Because barre focuses on small, isometric movements, we're able to target and fatigue small deep muscle groups more intensely," says barre instructor Briana Milton.

And incorporating compound movements that target multiple muscle groups at once allows you to target all muscles in and around your seat, rather than just doing one at a time through isolation work. That makes each move — and the workout in general — more efficient, too.

Try this barre workout designed by Milton, which hits your gluteus medius, maximus, minimus, hamstrings and adductors (inner thigh muscles) for a major booty burn. And the best part? It's just 20 minutes long and can be done anywhere.