Many or today's society have muscular imbalances due to repetitive daily movements leading to pain and injury. Repetitive movements such as sitting for long periods, standing, driving, or anything else that you do all day repetitively places undue stress on the body. Muscular imbalances result in poor joint movement, inappropriate muscle functioning and decreased neuromuscular control. Start with static stretching to improve these imbalances.
People of all ages and all fitness levels can benefit from static stretching. Stretching improves joint range of motion, improves the function of your muscles and improves neuromuscular control or efficiency. Stretching exercises don't require any special equipment so they can be performed anywhere, at your desk, at home or in the gym.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive muscle soreness.
And if you don't exercise and you lead a sedentary lifestyle it's even more crucial you perform some form of static stretching and flexibility exercises. Just remember to only stretch to the point of slight tension and hold for at least 30 seconds. Never bounce while stretching.
Static, Active, Dynamic, and SMR with a foam roll are a few different forms of flexibility training. The most common is static stretching. Static stretches require that you hold a stretch for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds. It helps to improve flexibility by lengthening the muscles being stretched. Static stretches are best for correcting muscular imbalances and is the best place to start.
Another type of stretching, SMR or self myofacial release using a foam roll, is also a form of stretching to correct muscle imbalances and to relieve knots in a muscle. It improves the length of muscles by placing pressure on "knots" which are bundled muscle fibers. It returns the body to it's optimal level of functioning and it feels great. You can use this technique on most major muscles and combine it with static stretching.
Active stretching and dynamic stretching are another form of stretching. They should be performed only as a warm up prior to exercise and stretches are held for very short durations with several repetitions. Perform static stretching as part of your cool down.
Improving your flexibility will not only feel great but will reduce the risk of injury, counteract aging, improve posture, relieve pain, and improve muscle recovery after workouts. Static stretching is a great place to start.
People of all ages and all fitness levels can benefit from static stretching. Stretching improves joint range of motion, improves the function of your muscles and improves neuromuscular control or efficiency. Stretching exercises don't require any special equipment so they can be performed anywhere, at your desk, at home or in the gym.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive muscle soreness.
And if you don't exercise and you lead a sedentary lifestyle it's even more crucial you perform some form of static stretching and flexibility exercises. Just remember to only stretch to the point of slight tension and hold for at least 30 seconds. Never bounce while stretching.
Static, Active, Dynamic, and SMR with a foam roll are a few different forms of flexibility training. The most common is static stretching. Static stretches require that you hold a stretch for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds. It helps to improve flexibility by lengthening the muscles being stretched. Static stretches are best for correcting muscular imbalances and is the best place to start.
Another type of stretching, SMR or self myofacial release using a foam roll, is also a form of stretching to correct muscle imbalances and to relieve knots in a muscle. It improves the length of muscles by placing pressure on "knots" which are bundled muscle fibers. It returns the body to it's optimal level of functioning and it feels great. You can use this technique on most major muscles and combine it with static stretching.
Active stretching and dynamic stretching are another form of stretching. They should be performed only as a warm up prior to exercise and stretches are held for very short durations with several repetitions. Perform static stretching as part of your cool down.
Improving your flexibility will not only feel great but will reduce the risk of injury, counteract aging, improve posture, relieve pain, and improve muscle recovery after workouts. Static stretching is a great place to start.
About the Author:
Gina Gardi (CPT) is the owner and operator of a Strength Training Website which offers free workout plans and fitness information. Visit the website for sample Stretching Flexibility Exercises that include static, foam roll and active stretching, complete with illustrated stretching exercises and instructions.
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