You’ve probably heard of stretching before, but what does that really mean? Stretching is a type of exercise that helps increase flexibility and range of motion. It can be performed in many different ways, such as by flexing or stretching the muscle and then holding it for 10-30 seconds. If you are new to this concept, we suggest you read our blog post on How To Stretch Properly!
You should always stretch after exercising and when your muscles are warm. It’s important not to hold your breath while stretching, and instead breathe naturally through each stretch until you feel less tense or painful. You may experience a slight discomfort, but it shouldn’t be too overwhelming! If you find your pain is so severe that it prevents you from continuing to exercise properly, we suggest stopping it immediately, before you hurt yourself!
How does flexibility affect our lives? Stretching is important for increasing flexibility. It can help you navigate better in your daily life and prevent injuries during physical activity. Flexibility also helps your body stay healthy as it allows muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues to function at their best by extending them beyond their normal range of motion. Stretching may be part of your daily routine or something you do before exercise to improve performance or reduce the risk of injuries such as muscle strains (strained leg / back muscles). Most people should stretch several times a week after warming up with cardio exercises such as running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike for five minutes, gradually increasing the intensity. You might even consider getting involved in a sport where stretching is part of your training, such as yoga or martial arts.
What are the different types of stretching? There are many different types of stretching exercises, but the most popular are:
- Static Stretching is a great beginner’s technique to keep your body stretched for approximately 30 seconds. You can do static stretching before exercise to improve flexibility and range of motion, or as part of cooling down after training to improve recovery time. This type of stretching should be done slowly and with a controlled movement to prevent injuries.
- Dynamic stretching – as the name suggests, dynamic stretching involves moving parts of the body while stretching, instead of static, still (e.g. arm vertebrae). Dynamic stretching can be used both before and after exercise because it mimics the movements associated with physical activity such as running or jumping rope. Instead, dynamic stretching should be performed repeatedly in smooth movements that are controlled but not jerky or jerky.
When do people usually stretch? Most people stretch either as part of a cool down or before exercise to warm up the muscles, with static stretching being preferred. Dynamic stretching can also be used in place of a dynamic warm-up when trying to simulate sports movements, although it is not recommended for pre-workout use as it does not prepare your body properly for activity.