Stretching For A Better Body: Why, When & How

We all know we should stretch, but far too many of us overlook this and choose to get on to the “nitty gritty” instead – the exercise or the sports or the free running. But you may not be doing it because you don’t know how, when, or even why stretching is important.

Stretching is useful for both injury prevention and injury treatment.  Additionally, it may increase flexibility of the neck, shoulders and upper back may improve respiratory function.

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to add stretching to your workout.

Why Stretch?

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1. Improves Muscle Development – If you’re doing a workout with the hope of building muscle then stretching is very important as it enables you to move through the full range of movement. This then results in your building full and long muscles instead of them becoming stunted and short.
2. Increases Range of Motion – Not only does stretching increase the range of motion for someone lifting weights while they’re doing it, it also helps to increase range of motion and flexibility in general. This then means that you will be more likely to perform things such as the splits or high kicks. It’s highly useful in a range of different athletic and sporting events and many athletes practice stretching for this reason.
3. Reduces Injury – Stretching reduces the chance of injury by gradually elongating the muscle. If you’re more flexible then that will mean that you don’t pull or tear a muscle if you are to slip or trip as your body is capable of reaching that position. In the short term it also helps to limber up the muscle and tendon and thereby prevent a pulled muscle or tendon.
4. Warms You Up – Stretching can be used as a way to warm up the muscles and it will encourage the flow of blood. This then provides the muscles with an oxygen supply as well as nutrients in order to help them to keep going.
5. Improve Posture – Stretching can also help you to improve your posture and particularly stretching the back. It may also be useful for alleviating pain and this is why it is commonly used as a part of yoga and Pilates.

When To Stretch

Although many coaches and exercise physiologists formerly recommended stretching before a workout — without regard for the type of stretching — warming up with the type of activity known as static stretches is now considered outdated, ineffective and even dangerous. Most experts now agree that static stretching can cause you to feel weaker and more fatigued; in addition, there is no evidence that pre-workout stretching prevents injuries. To prepare for a workout, the best policy is to perform dynamic stretches: light activity that raises your heart rate while readying your muscles for exercise.

How To Stretch

After exercise, cool down and hold a given stretch only until you feel a slight pulling in the muscle, but no pain. As you hold the stretch the muscle will relax. As you feel less tension you can increase the stretch again until you feel the same slight pull. Hold this position until you feel no further increase.

If you do not seem to gain any range of motion using the above technique, you may consider holding the stretch longer (up to 60 seconds).

Two Stretches To Do Before Bed

1. Extended Cone Stretch
Target: shoulders, arms, legs

To begin this stretch, start in the standing position with equal weight on both feet. Take a deep breath in, then exhale as you extend your arms out to the side and up into the air to meet above your head. With your hands over your head and feet planted firmly on the ground, take a deep inhale, and as you exhale, bend your body to the left side. Hold this position for a breath, and then go to center to inhale again, and exhale as you bend your body to the right side and hold for a breath. Repeat four times on each side for maximum benefit.

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2. Upper Spinal Floor Twist
Target: Upper body, hips, back

Lie on your side with your knees and hips bent to 90 degree angles and your arms straight out in front of you. With the arm closer to the ceiling, reach up and then behind you, twisting your upper body but still keeping your knees stacked and pressed together. Hold this stretched position and breathe into your mid and lower back. Then, repeat on the opposite side. This helps your shoulders relax back into their proper position and can reduce the development of a hunchback.

Two Stretches For Building Muscle

1. C-Curve
Target: Lower Back

Sit on floor with knees bent, feet on floor about 12 inches in front of butt.
Interlace fingers behind hamstrings, pointing elbows out to sides.
Round back, tightening pelvic floor and pulling navel in toward spine; focus on…