Flexibility is one of the five components of fitness. It is important to include stretching as an integral part of every workout program. Take a look at how stretching can change your game!
Benefits of stretching
- Decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of motion
- May reduce your risk of injury
- Helps relieve post-exercise aches and pains
- Improves posture
- Helps reduce or manage stress
- Reduces muscular tension and enhances muscular relaxation
- Improves mechanical efficiency and overall functional performance
- Prepares the body for the stress of exercise
- Promotes circulation
- Decreases the risk of low-back pain.
Try these stretches after your next workout!
LOWER BACK STRETCH
- Lie on your back with your knees bent
- Place your arms by your sides
- Pull your knees toward your chest
GROIN STRETCH
- Sit with the soles of your feet together
- Push down on the inside of your knees to stretch
GLUTE STRETCH
- Sit with one ledge bent and crossed over your straight leg
- Lean back, pulling your legs to your chest
HIP FLEXOR STRETCH
- Stand with one leg behind you
- Slowly bend your front leg, contracting the gluteal muscles in your back leg
HAMSTRING STRETCH
- Standing upright, place your heel up onto a step in front of you
- With the leg straight, gently bend forward until you feel a slight hamstring stretch
CALF STRETCH
- Stand arms length from a wall
- Place both hands on the wall and one foot behind you
- Heel down, lean in until you feel a stretch in your calf
QUAD STRETCH
- Stand on one leg and use a chair or wall to balance if necessary
- Bend your other leg at the knee and grasp your foot behind you
- Keep your body upright
