How to Stretch Before a Workout the Right Way

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Two people stretching before exercise B.

Stretching isn’t the most exciting part of a workout and is often overlooked for its benefits. Although stretching is helpful for preventing injury and improving range of motion, many still avoid doing it regularly. Improper stretching can put a person at risk for injury, and for active people, injuries are all too common.


Here Are Some Tips on How to Stretch the Right Way

  • It is important to pay particular attention to the major muscle groups. The calves, thighs and other muscle should be stretched at every single workout.
  • Static stretching should only be done after workouts. Static stretching involves performing a slow stretch and holding it for 30 seconds. While you may have been taught to do this type of stretching before a workout, it is not recommended. You should always warm up muscles prior to exercising and save the stretching for after the workout.
  • Stretching should never be done to the point where you are in pain. While many people do this to improve their range of motion, doing it is actually counterproductive.
  • Did you know that you can benefit from stretching daily for ten minutes even without the workout? Stretching individual muscle groups is a great way to shake up the stretching process. Twists, backbends, and inversions stimulate the adrenal glands and lymphatic system helping them to perform better. While stretches that create space between the vertebrae and lengthen the muscles of the back will reduce lower-back pain and counteract stress by calming the nervous system.

Stretching is beneficial for everyone whether you are an athlete or simply incorporating it into a healthy lifestyle.

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