STRETCHING

Stretching is an important part of any quality training program.

It has been proven to help with recovery from exercise and to also prevent injuries from occurring.

To ensure you are getting the most out of your stretches it is important to follow a few basic rules.

Rule 1: Stretch your muscles to the point of resistance, not to a point of pain. You should feel your muscles stretching but you should not feel any acute twinges.

Rule 2: Hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds, trying to relax the rest of your body at the same time. Use you breath to facilitate the stretch by letting go of any tension in your body when you exhale. 

Rule 3: Midway through your 30 seconds you may feel your stretch becoming easier, this is your muscle lengthening as it relaxes. On your next exhalation see if you can comfortably increase your stretch to further make gains in your flexibility.

Rule 4: It is best to stretch after a workout in order to prevent post exercise soreness and to release muscle tension that may have developed during your training session. Increased tension or tightness in a muscle can lead to injuries if not addressed.

GOT A QUESTION?

Use the comments section below if you have a question for Jane about stretching?