Stretching regularly offers you many tremendous benefits such as increasing your range of motion so you can reach to a top shelf or bend over to tie your shoes. Stretching can deliver more energy and boost your mental function. The best benefit of all is that stretching can make you look better physically.
Every muscle in your body contains “stretch receptors” that keep a constant dialogue going with your brain about the overall level of tension in your muscles. When your muscles are chronically tight, your body is thrown out of alignment, creating muscular imbalances and poor posture. Aesthetically, well-stretched and limber muscles appear leaner than shortened, constantly contracted muscles. Stretching also corrects your posture, which is a key component to looking more toned and self-confident.
Best of all stretching actually burns calories as well. So at the end of your workout when you are deciding to skip the stretching part, think again! You can continue the calorie burning process just by taking an extra 10-30 minutes to stretch. Not only will you continue to burn calories it will help prevent muscle soreness and injury.
The KEYS to the STRETCHING:
KEY 1. Stretching is best done DAILY!
KEY 2. Never stretch right before exercise. Pre-exercise stretching may actually contribute to injury.
KEY 3. Warm up at a light pace performing the activity you are actually going to perform – such as walking briskly before jogging – until you feel warm or break a sweat (usually about 10 minutes) then perform the activity.
KEY 4. Stretch the muscle you’ve just used for a minimum of 5-10 minutes post activity before you call it quits after your workout or activity.
Remember stretching is a natural progression into the move that once completed will leave you feeling great all over. Never bounce in a stretch, but gradual, gentle, 20-30 second holds is the best way to stretch a muscle.
