Many gym goers believe that stretching after a workout is a waste of time, and many Personal Trainers do not include stretching in their sessions, expecting their clients to stretch themselves, which hardly happens. 

What these gym goers need to realise is how valuable regular stretching, even for five to ten minutes a day, can be on your body and health, therefore here are FIVE of these advantages described below that should tempt you to get your stretch on NOW!

#1 Stretching Increases Strength

Regular stretching improves strength by increasing circulation and blood flow to the muscles. This not only delivers more nutrition to each muscle in the body, but it also allows those muscles to recover faster between exercises. The increased blood flow helps to minimise muscular pain and tiredness during recovery times, allowing for more frequent high-intensity exercises. Are you sold yet?

 

#2 Stretching Will Make You More Flexible

Stretching is the most effective method for increasing flexibility. As we age, our muscles shorten and stiffen, reducing our range of motion and increasing our risk of tendon, ligament, and other soft tissue injuries. Flexibility also aids in sports performance by allowing for more fluid mobility. But be careful not to overstretch - excessively flexible muscles are more prone to injury and cause sloppiness when moving.

 

#3 Stretching Promotes Circulation

Muscle lengthening and relaxing improves circulation significantly. This will not only assist minimise post-workout pain and recovery time, but it will also enhance general health. Increased blood circulation aids in cell development and organ function. Because the heart does not have to work as hard, the heart rate will decrease, and blood pressure will become more level and stable.

 

#4 Stretching Helps to Relieve Stress

Stretching relieves stress by relaxing muscles and releasing tension, such as the stiff neck that comes from sitting at a computer all day. It also causes the production of endorphins in the brain, which can lead to feelings of well-being and calmness. Stretching is also considered to relieve stress via a process similar to meditation or yoga in that it produces a state of mindfulness.

 

#5 Stretching Improves Range of Motion

A greater range of motion in the joints has several advantages, and stretching is the most effective technique to attain this. It enhances balance, lowering the chance of injury and increasing sports performance. It also enables for more complete workouts, whether swimming, running, or lifting, because an expanded range of motion allows for better form and complete muscle activation.

A warm-up stretch routine and a cool-down stretch routine at the end of any workout or sports programme should be included. This helps the muscles to eliminate toxins and remain pliable in order to maintain blood flow throughout the body. You're undoubtedly familiar with the experience of waking up with painful muscles and being unable to move correctly because you didn't stretch properly before a workout.

Stretching improves balance and posture by allowing the body to correct itself and allowing muscles to lengthen and relax. Flexibility and range of motion are improved with a regular stretching programme. Flexibility and coordination improvements will assist to prevent injury during an exercise or athletic activity.

People who stretch on a daily basis find a good influence on their mental and emotional health as they become more relaxed. When we are stressed, we tend to keep tension in our muscles, so stretching is an excellent method to relieve that tension and assist to modify our physiological reaction to stress in the future.

Happy Stretching!