Stretching Tips
We all know the importance of exercising but what about the importance of stretching? Stretching shouldn’t take a back seat to your health and wellness routine as it can help improve your range of motion and decrease your risk of injury – among other benefits! 
Studies have shown stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion in your joints.
Better flexibility may:
Studies have shown stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion in your joints.
Better flexibility may:
- Improve your performance in physical activities
- Decrease your risk of injuries
- Help your joints move through their full range of motion
- Increase muscle blood flow
- Enable your muscles to work most effectively
- Improve your ability to do daily activities
- Don’t consider stretching a warmup. You may hurt yourself if you stretch cold muscles. We recommend warming up with light walking, jogging, or biking at a low intensity for 5-10 minutes. Or, of course, after your workout!
- Strive for symmetry. Everyone’s genetics for flexibility are different. Focus on having equal flexibility side to side.
- Focus on major muscle groups. Concentrate your stretches on major muscle groups such as calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck, and shoulders.
- Don’t bounce. Stretching should be a smooth movement. Bouncing as you stretch can injure your muscle and may contribute to muscle tightness.
- Hold your stretch. As you work through the various muscle groups remember to breathe normally and hold each stretch for about 30 seconds.
- Keep up with your stretching. Though stretching can be time-consuming you can achieve the most benefits by stretching regularly, at least two to three times a week.
