Most people have muscular imbalances because of repetitive daily movement patterns. An imbalance occurs when another muscle takes over the job of a primary muscle. This places undue stress on the body causing muscles to become tight and week, and causes stiffness and poor movement of joints. The best way to correct this is through static stretching.
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.
You can perform static stretching exercises during a warm up or cool down or both. During a warm up, stretching prepares your muscles for the activity and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout increases flexibility, improves joint range of motion, and aids in muscle recovery after a workout. It also prevents and reduces muscle soreness after intense workouts.
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.
Another type of stretching, SMR or self myofacial release using a foam roll, is also a form of stretching to correct muscle imbalances and to relieve knots in a muscle. It improves the length of muscles by placing pressure on "knots" which are bundled muscle fibers. It returns the body to it's optimal level of functioning and it feels great. You can use this technique on most major muscles and combine it with static stretching.
Active and dynamic stretching is another form of stretching which should be formed only as a warm up or before a workout. You can cool down with some static stretching. They require holding stretches for only a short duration and several repetitions. Yoga is a form of active isolated stretching.
Start incorportating static stretching exercises in your daily routine and not only will you improve your flexibility but you'll feel great, reduce stress, improve you posture, reduce or prevent injury, counteract aging, and improve muscle recovery after workouts. - 15683
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.
You can perform static stretching exercises during a warm up or cool down or both. During a warm up, stretching prepares your muscles for the activity and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout increases flexibility, improves joint range of motion, and aids in muscle recovery after a workout. It also prevents and reduces muscle soreness after intense workouts.
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.
Another type of stretching, SMR or self myofacial release using a foam roll, is also a form of stretching to correct muscle imbalances and to relieve knots in a muscle. It improves the length of muscles by placing pressure on "knots" which are bundled muscle fibers. It returns the body to it's optimal level of functioning and it feels great. You can use this technique on most major muscles and combine it with static stretching.
Active and dynamic stretching is another form of stretching which should be formed only as a warm up or before a workout. You can cool down with some static stretching. They require holding stretches for only a short duration and several repetitions. Yoga is a form of active isolated stretching.
Start incorportating static stretching exercises in your daily routine and not only will you improve your flexibility but you'll feel great, reduce stress, improve you posture, reduce or prevent injury, counteract aging, and improve muscle recovery after workouts. - 15683
About the Author:
Gina Gardi (CPT) is the owner and operator of a Strength Training Website which offers free workout plans and fitness information. Visit the website for sample Stretching Flexibility Exercises that include static, foam roll and active stretching, complete with illustrated stretching exercises and instructions.
