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It is believed that before a vigorous workout, warm-up and stretching must go hand-in-hand. In this way, your muscles will not be shocked with the quick and sudden load it is given.
Warming up and stretching ensures that the body is now ready to proceed to a much bigger load whether it requires strength or endurance. This will help prevent the individual getting an injury. Especially if one is not that active and has just embarked on an exercise program he or she should not move on too quickly for his own good.
The right progression of exercise is always necessary well, even for exercise veterans. One just can't risk getting himself injured. To be sure, one should recognize the importance of stretching. Subscribe to the idea and have the discipline to do such before any workout or rigorous activity. More so in competitions, one should do the right stretching; this will help in his performance in the sport and preventing injuries form occurring.
Stretching increases circulation and prepares the muscles for a strenuous workout. Stretching exercises include hamstring stretch, toe touch, inner thigh stretch, side stretch, shoulder lift and head roll. The point is to do this at the various parts of the body, especially on those that will be mostly involved in the workout you are about to do. With these stretching exercises, your body will be more ready to take on more physically demanding work.
One should not underestimate the power of stretching and the health benefits that can be derived from it. One should understand that stretching is in fact one of the base concepts in yoga wherein certain poses are done; and during such poses, one is also stretching. There are more to benefits that can be enjoyed with stretching. Thus, it wouldn't do any good to actually and intentionally leave it out in your workout program.
And while the importance of warming up and stretching has been repeated here, it is only before workouts that such should be done. Stretching should also be done during cool-down exercises. This will help in the careful transition of your body from a highly active state to one that is lesser.
Cooling down and stretching after a workout will also help avoiding muscles to stiffen afterwards. With this, you avoid muscle pain and this also allows your heart to beat slower now. Even top athletes are doing this, so don't think that cooling down is overdoing it. This will be for your own good and allows your muscles to avoid injury as well.
In stretching, be sure you are not stretching to a point of pain if you are, that is not good at all. You may be tearing a tissue or injuring a muscle if you are doing this. As long as you are feeling the stretch, that would be enough. You don't have to feel the pain in the stretch this is certainly not the way to go in stretching. Don't push your body beyond normal; as little discomfort as possible is good.
Avoid bouncing as well when you stretch; avoid sudden jerks. You will have the tendency to overstretch if you do so. When you stretch however - take slow, deep breaths. This will help you relax and get the tension out. Breathing properly while you stretch similar to that of yoga will be a good way to go for your stretching exercise.
The importance of stretching can't be emphasized enough. Along with all the other benefits mentioned, you will also find yourself carrying a good posture and a whole lot of positive things with it. There is more to stretching than you know yours is the decision.
Related Articles From WebMD:
- Stretching and Flexibility: How to Stretch, When to Stretch
- The Basics: Stretch Your Fitness Limits
- Stretching Exercises at Your Desk: 12 Simple Tips
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