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Why we girls need to stretch
We’ve all seen the awesome dancers and cheerleaders stretch and twist themselves with the most amazing flexibility. And we’ve probably got an old Nana that moves like a robot in need of a good oil!
So what is flexibility all about – and why’s it so important? Flexibility is all about being able to stretch your arms, legs, and other joints of your body. It’s also about the elasticity of the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint. Some people are naturally flexible and some aren’t…..no matter what though, you can improve your flexibility.
Here are five great reasons to stretch it!
1. Improve your performance. When a joint is flexible it takes less energy to move it in a greater range of motion - so you’ll feel less tired.
2. Prevents injury and soreness . Stretching improves muscular balance and relaxation so you’re less likely to feel sore after exercise or to hurt yourself.
3. Increase blood supply and nutrients to your joints and surrounding tissue. This in turn promotes greater elasticity and improved performance.
4. Better muscle coordination. Stretching improves the time a nerve impulse takes to travel to your brain and back. This helps muscle groups to work together and improves coordination.
5. Feel better. When your body is flexible it moves more naturally and easily – and you feel better in your body!
Use It or Lose It
If you don’t use them, your muscles, ligaments and tendons can easily ‘forget’ that they can stretch. So it’s up to you to remind them. Check out these stretching routines you can do anywhere!
In a queue: Lift your toes off the ground to give your calf muscles a bit of a stretch
On the bus: try just drawing your shoulder blades together after a hard day at the computer! It’ll feel great and will remind your body of where everything should be!
Watching TV: Yep, you can even get a workout while getting your daily fix of Shorty Street. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Make sure your back’s against the wall or couch and draw your toes back towards you. You’ll get a good stretch through your hamstring muscles down the backs of your legs. (If you’re already flexible, bend from the hips towards your feet for an extra stretch).
Reading a magazine: Hit the floor again and lie on your stomach. Use your forearms to gently lift your upper body up off the floor and you’ll stretch out your back and spine.
On the phone: Straighten your legs and bend from your hips. Let your shoulders and head drop towards the floor and feel a great long stretch through the backs of your legs!
Stretching tips:
Warm-up before you stretch. Never stretch a cold muscle.
Stretch only to the point that you feel a tug. You should not feel pain and should never bounce.
Hold each stretch 10 -30 seconds then relax and repeat. As you improve, take your stretch a little further, but never to the point of extreme pain.
Always stretch both sides of your body in the same way and stretch all muscles groups (i.e. calf, hamstrings, arms, shoulders, groin).
Breathe correctly. Breathe out as you begin your stretch and then relax and breath normally. Do not hold your breath while stretching or tense up. Relax and concentrate.
Check out more fitness articles
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my daughter is learning to do the splits at ballet. i am not flexible at all. Posted by tkennard "on" 08/11 "at"11:51 AM |
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Would love to become flexible! Especially be able to do the spilts! Posted by Louiee "on" 08/07 "at"08:05 PM |
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i have a stretching session quite often, and i practise splits but i still can’t get them after ten years of gymnasitics!! grrrr Posted by spami "on" 05/27 "at"04:18 AM |
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I’ve recently started stretching and I’ve found that I’m almost able to completely do the splits now  I used to only be able to get half way down to the floor, now the back of my knee can touch the ground :D Stretching also feels AMAZING after and you are able to move alot more freely! I highly recommend it to any person reading this Posted by xx__Dani "on" 05/19 "at"10:59 PM |
Best of the rest
