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Get the Most from Your Stretching Routine

April 20, 2009

stretchStretching is a very important part of your exercise routine. In addition to helping to prevent pulling or tearing of muscles while exercising, stretching is the best way to improve your overall flexibility.

Cooling Down

In addition to stretching to warm up, you should also include stretching as part of your cooling down routine. The final stretches are best for increasing your body’s flexibility because your muscles are loose and limber.

Amount of Time

When you are stretching you should hold each position for a minimum of sixty seconds. The longer you are able to hold a position, the more limber your body will become.

Changing Your Position

When you are done with a particular stretch, you should come out of the position very slowly. Moving too fast could cause an injury. You should move your body very gradually. You should also move slowly when you are moving into a new stretch. If you force your body to move too quickly you can put a great deal of strain on your joints.

Start with the Easy Ones

Start with the stretches that you are able to do easily and gradually work your way up to the more difficult ones. Doing this will give your muscles and joints time to adjust.

Stretch Everything

Make sure that you are stretching all of your muscle groups. Most people have a bad habit of forgetting about their neck, which is important.  It is important that you work every body part to ensure that you have a full range of motion.

Stretch Daily

The best way to make sure that you retain your full range of motion as you age is to stretch regularly. The more frequently you stretch, the less likely you are to lose the elasticity and movement of your joints and muscles.

Even if you don’t have time to run through your entire workout routine, you should at least make sure that you go through your stretches daily.

Take a Break

Make sure that you give your body a chance to rest in between each of your sets. The best way to make sure you don’t overstretch your muscles is to alternate the sets of muscles that you stretch every day.

Do Some Aerobics

You really should incorporate some aerobics into your workout routine. In addition to improving your body’s flexibility, the aerobics will also keep your cardiovascular system active.


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