Many or today's society have muscular imbalances due to repetitive daily movements leading to pain and injury. Repetitive movements such as sitting for long periods, standing, driving, or anything else that you do all day repetitively places undue stress on the body. Muscular imbalances result in poor joint movement, inappropriate muscle functioning and decreased neuromuscular control. Start with static stretching to improve these imbalances.
People of all ages and all fitness levels can benefit from static stretching. Stretching improves joint range of motion, improves the function of your muscles and improves neuromuscular control or efficiency. Stretching exercises don't require any special equipment so they can be performed anywhere, at your desk, at home or in the gym.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive 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.
Active stretching and dynamic stretching are another form of stretching. They should be performed only as a warm up prior to exercise and stretches are held for very short durations with several repetitions. Perform static stretching as part of your cool down.
Improving your flexibility and performing some static stretching exercises will not only feel great but will improve your posture, reduce your risk of injury, relieve pain, counteract aging, improve muscle recovery after workouts and reduce stress. - 16003
People of all ages and all fitness levels can benefit from static stretching. Stretching improves joint range of motion, improves the function of your muscles and improves neuromuscular control or efficiency. Stretching exercises don't require any special equipment so they can be performed anywhere, at your desk, at home or in the gym.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive 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.
Active stretching and dynamic stretching are another form of stretching. They should be performed only as a warm up prior to exercise and stretches are held for very short durations with several repetitions. Perform static stretching as part of your cool down.
Improving your flexibility and performing some static stretching exercises will not only feel great but will improve your posture, reduce your risk of injury, relieve pain, counteract aging, improve muscle recovery after workouts and reduce stress. - 16003
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.
