Why should I bother with stretches after exercising?
We’re all so pushed for time that stretching is one of those things that tends to get skipped at the end of a workout, or in the very least it gets done half-heartedly. But why should we make some time for it?
There are plenty of benefits to stretching and it really does only take a few minutes to stretch the muscles you’ve just worked out.
The benefits include:
Increased extensibility of muscles – the improved flexibility improves our range of motion
Decreased tightness and soreness leading to less injuries – muscle soreness is one of the reasons people then miss following training sessions. Stretching will quicken the recovery ready for your next session
Constant contracting of the muscles during heavy resistance training can shorten muscles and stretching counteracts this
Increased coordination between muscle groups
Increased postural alignment – lengthening tight muscles keeps us in a better position
Increased speed and power of movement – stretching before exercise will relax the muscles and enable them to be available for use
Improves your mind and body awareness – it’s a great stress reliever and important for relaxation. It increases the blood flow and endorphins are released to make us feel happier
Improves energy levels - if you’re feeling sluggish in the middle of the afternoon for example, have a good old stretch and see how you feel afterwards
So, get stretching guys! Your mind and body will thank you for it and it’s a great habit to get into.
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