Stretching

There are four components to a well balanced body. Stretching or flexibility,Cardio , strength training, and balanced eating. All too often, your flexibility routine is the first to go. When you are rushed or pushed for time, you can generally manage to squeeze in a quick run or even a power session of lifting weights, but then very quickly head out the door without a good stretch session.

What is flexibility and why is it important?

Flexibility refers to the range of motion (ROM) around a joint or group of joints.

Two factors that affect and limit flexibility are:

• age- as we age, there tends to be a decrease in flexibility
• exercise history- a sedentary lifestyle often results in a decrease in flexibility

So now that you know what limits your flexibility, why would you want to incorporate a solid routine?

Benefits of Stretching

• Increase your range of motion
• Decrease muscle imbalances
• Improve posture
• Prevention of muscle sorness after exercise
• Decrease stress

A regular flexibility program brings many health benefits. To determine what muscles need to be stretched and which ones don't, you might want to see a professional or certified trainer experienced in Range of Motion Assessments.

Selecting and working out the specifically tight ones, as well as strengthening the weaker ones is very important. If you simply continue to lengthen already loose muscles you may make exsisting problems worse.

If you are going to start a flexibility program on you own, keep the following in mind:

• You never want to lengthen a muscle when it's cold. So do a warm-up first to increase your body temperature before beginning.
• If you can, have a daily routine, even if only for a few minutes. You will be surprised how quickly to can increase your range of motion.
• Never jerk or bounce.
• You should never feel pain. If it hurts, release the tension a bit.
• Make sure you continue to breathe.
• Hold for at least 30 seconds.

  As you begin to incorporate a regular flexibility routine, you will find it doesn't take too long to see the benefits. You will become more flexible, more balanced, reduce your stress and cope better with hectic situations.

  So don't skip your stretching routine, you body and mind will thank you.

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