Stretching After a Workout

Congratulations. You've lived up to your New Year's resolution to begin a regular workout routine. It's difficult, but you manage to push yourself even when you are exhausted. You should be proud of yourself. It is great to have a regular exercise regimen but now there's something else you need to consider. Stretching. Stretching increases flexibility, circulation, good posture, coordination and helps reduce stress and needs to conclude each of your workouts.

Stretching for flexibility. When you stretch you are actually stretching ligaments as well as muscles. Ligaments attach muscles to bones. By keeping ligaments limber they allow greater freedom of movement and flexibility, and reduce the stress on the bones. Flexible muscles can improve your daily performance and can make tasks such as lifting groceries, bending over to buckle your shoes or hurrying after a straying toddler much easier. Flexibility tends to diminish as you get older, but it is possible to regain flexibility and maintain it.

Stretching for circulation. Stretching improves circulation and blood flow to your muscles and ligaments which fortifies the muscle tissue. Blood flowing to your muscles brings nourishment and rids the muscle tissue of waste byproducts. Improved circulation can help shorten your recovery time when you have a muscle injury.

Stretching for good posture. Stretching can help keep your muscles from getting tight, allowing you to maintain proper posture. Good posture can minimize discomfort and keep aches and pains at a minimum.

Stretching for stress relief. Stretching relaxes tight, tense muscles that often accompany stress.

Stretching for coordination. Stretching can enhance coordination. Maintaining the full range of motion through your joints keeps you in better balance. Coordination and balance will help keep you mobile and less prone to injury from falls, especially as you get older.

Stretching before a workout is a thing of the past. It is now recommended to stretch after a workout in order to gain the most benefits of stretching. Add it to the very end of your workout when muscles and ligaments are already warm. Not only does this provide the most efficient way to gain flexibility but will also minimize the soreness caused from pushing your muscles.

Exercise is important for a strong, healthy body as well as a strong mind. Add to that the benefits of stretching and you really have a reason to be proud of yourself. You really are being good to yourself.

Stretching. It really is that important.