How to stretch

Finding time with your hectic schedule to work out is tough. Whenever you do have an extra half hour to yourself, you likely jump right on the treadmill or the bike and take off, going as quickly as you can to burn as many calories as you can in your short amount of time. This can actually be dangerous. If you don’t take time to stretch before you work out, your muscles will not be properly warmed up and your risk of injury will be higher than if you had taken the time to stretch. You should also stretch after your regular workout. Additionally, according to Reuters, “experts say . . . stretching will help you sharpen your performance, prevent injury, improve your posture and even improve your mood.”

Stretching: An important part of your workout routine

Dynamic stretching vs. Static stretching

Stretching doesn’t have to take up your whole workout time-just make an effort to fit in at least five minutes of stretching before and after your regular workout. There are two kinds of stretching to pick from, according to Reuters, who explains, “A static stretch is essentially a stretch held in one position; dynamic stretching involves active movements.” For instance, a static stretch could be a toe touch held for 30 seconds while a dynamic exercise might be jumping jacks.

Stretching safely

Just be sure that when you stretch, you do not push your body further than it can go. Jessica Mathews of the American Council on Exercise says for stretches to be “safe and effective, they should be held only to the point of tension-never to the point of pain.” Also, you need to never bounce during your static stretching. According to the Mayo Clinic, this may trigger little tears in the muscle. You need to also be careful if you have a chronic condition that may be exacerbated by stretching-talk to your doctor for questions on what kinds of stretching would work best for you.

Sources
Reuters

Mayo Clinic