Most people have muscular imbalances because of repetitive daily movement patterns. An imbalance occurs when another muscle takes over the job of a primary muscle. This places undue stress on the body causing muscles to become tight and week, and causes stiffness and poor movement of joints. The best way to correct this is through static stretching.
Weather you are active or not, young or old, you can benefit from static stretching. Stretching is a great way to improve the range of motion around a joint, improve neuromuscular control, and improve the function of muscles. You can perform them anywhere and without any equipment.
You can perform static stretching before and after workouts. Before a workout stretching will help prepare your muscles for exercise and prevent injury. After exercise it helps to recover your muscles, increases flexibility which improves joint range of motion, and it also helps to reduce muscle soreness.
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or you don't exercise, it is even more important that you perform static stretching and flexibility exercises. Only stretch to a point of slight tension and hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds.
The most common types of flexibility training include static stretching, active stretching, SRM with a foam roll, and dynamic stretching. The best place to start is with static stretches. Static stretching requires you hold a stretch for a period of 30 seconds at the first point of resistance. This allows your muscles to lengthen, improving flexibility. It's a great way to correct muscle imbalances.
Self myofacial release is also a form of corrective stretching. By applying pressure to "knots" or sensitive areas of a muscle, this technique allows bundled muscle fibers to be straightened and inline with the direction of the muscle, This in turn leads to lengthening of the muscles. It's a great way to restore your body to it's optimal level of functioning. This can be done by rolling specific muscles on a foam roll. SMR and static stretching can be combined in your warm-ups.
Two other forms of flexibility training include Active and Dynamic stretching. These types of stretches should be performed as a warm up and should only be performed if you have no muscle imbalances. Perform static stretching after your workouts to 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. - 15438
Weather you are active or not, young or old, you can benefit from static stretching. Stretching is a great way to improve the range of motion around a joint, improve neuromuscular control, and improve the function of muscles. You can perform them anywhere and without any equipment.
You can perform static stretching before and after workouts. Before a workout stretching will help prepare your muscles for exercise and prevent injury. After exercise it helps to recover your muscles, increases flexibility which improves joint range of motion, and it also helps to reduce muscle soreness.
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or you don't exercise, it is even more important that you perform static stretching and flexibility exercises. Only stretch to a point of slight tension and hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds.
The most common types of flexibility training include static stretching, active stretching, SRM with a foam roll, and dynamic stretching. The best place to start is with static stretches. Static stretching requires you hold a stretch for a period of 30 seconds at the first point of resistance. This allows your muscles to lengthen, improving flexibility. It's a great way to correct muscle imbalances.
Self myofacial release is also a form of corrective stretching. By applying pressure to "knots" or sensitive areas of a muscle, this technique allows bundled muscle fibers to be straightened and inline with the direction of the muscle, This in turn leads to lengthening of the muscles. It's a great way to restore your body to it's optimal level of functioning. This can be done by rolling specific muscles on a foam roll. SMR and static stretching can be combined in your warm-ups.
Two other forms of flexibility training include Active and Dynamic stretching. These types of stretches should be performed as a warm up and should only be performed if you have no muscle imbalances. Perform static stretching after your workouts to 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. - 15438
About the Author:
Gina Gardi is a certified personal trainer through NASM and is the owner of a Strength Training Website which offers free workout plans and general fitness information. Visit the website for sample Stretching Flexibility Exercises that include static, SMR with foam roll, and active stretching. It includes illustrated exercises and detailed instructions.
