Pretty much any exercise expert you talk to will tell you that stretching is of the utmost importance if you want to get the most out of your workout and be as healthy as possible. Stretching may seem simple enough (and it really is pretty easy) but are you getting the most of your efforts as you could be? Here are some ways to make sure you aren’t wasting your time trying to get healthy and limber.
- Don’t bother stretching before your workout. Although it’s important to warm up before engaging in vigorous activity (to help avoid injuries) stretching doesn’t do much to help, and in fact may cause muscle weakness. Warm up instead by doing a few minutes of light aerobics and save the stretches for your cool-down.
- Don’t just stretch whatever muscle is convenient but make a point to think which parts of your body feel tight or tense at the end of the day and stretch those.
- Stretch as often as possible. Even if it’s just a quick stretch at your desk or while sitting in your car waiting at a red light, stretching throughout the day every day is beneficial in terms of keeping your body young.
- Don’t push it too hard. Although it’s rare to hurt yourself by stretching it is possible, so only stretch until you feel a gentle pull — pain means you’ve gone too far.
(Photo courtesy of xamogelo on Flickr)
Stretching… need to do more of this. By the way, anyone know how good Yoga is for stretching (sorry if this is an obvious question)? I’ve been wanting to be more limber and thought Yoga would be a good start, but don’t really know all that much about it yet.