The Benefits of Stretching

Before we even hit the gym or lift the weights, one of the most important things to do is stretch. Although stretching does take its fair share of time, it has benefits that cannot be missed. For starters, stretching increases flexibility and range of motion of joints, allowing you to have more pure, full movements while lifting. While some say stretching also prevents muscle soreness and injuries, that is still up for debate. Stretching also provided a good warm-up for muscles rather than diving right in to a workout. Stretching also improves circulation in the body, providing muscles with better bloodflow and therefore more oxygen.

As I just said, stretching provides muscles with much needed oxygen. Because of this fact and the many other benefits, stretching should be done before AND after a workout. Stretching warms your muscles up and also helps them relax. Working out forces muscles to work hard, and can cause lactic acid to pool in muscles because of the anaerobic (lack of oxygen) style that working out sometimes incurs. Stretching out helps combat this pooling and also prevents soreness after working out.

Stretching is clearly very, very important. It helps your body and also helps your workout. If you don't do it, you're only hurting yourself.

Obviously I'm not just going to tell you guys to STRETCH and then leave it just at that. Below are some links of how to stretch and stretches you should be doing. If you have any questions or anything to add, leave me a comment. Good luck, and be safe!!!

http://howtostretch.com/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/SM00http://www.wikihow.com/Stretch043