Stretching should be done at least three times a week for five to ten minutes. Stretching should be done 5-7 times a week for best benefit. You should stretch every time you exercise your body because it helps prevent injury.
There are many different stretches that can be used to keep your body flexible. Here are the most common ones:
Forward Bend - Stand with your arms out in front of you and bend forward until your chest almost touches your knees. Keep your back straight or slightly curved.
Side Bend - Reach across your body and lift one arm up over your head while keeping the other arm by your side. Without moving your feet, see how far you can bend your arm.
Reverse Bend - Start with your arms by your sides and bend backwards as far as possible without pain. Then switch legs and repeat on the other side.
Twist - With your arms out in front of you, twist from left to right then right to left. This movement will cover more area of the body than just bending at the waist.
Hip Stretch - Cross your ankles and pull them towards your shoulders. This stretch will open up your hips.
Stretching for a short period of time every day or practically every day is preferable than stretching for a longer period of time a few times per week. At least three times each week, do a 20-to-30-minute workout. Do this 5-minute stretching practice on days when you're short for time. It's best to stretch after your daily exercise routine.
Adults (who are not injured or undergoing therapy) should stretch at least twice a week and hold each stretch of a leg muscle for 10–30 seconds. Each stretch should be repeated two to four times. Stretch your muscles while they are warm, not cold. Start with small stretches and work up to larger ones as you become more fit.
Stretching is very important for people who want to lose weight without losing muscle, because it helps increase the blood flow to your limbs, which in turn reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes or other obesity-related illnesses.
The best part is that there are many different ways to stretch your muscles, so try out some new techniques to see what works for you.
It does not matter much whether you stretch before or after exercise, but it is recommended to do both to get the most benefit from stretching.
Stretches can help prevent injury if done properly, so make sure you follow these tips to avoid hurting yourself:
Start with small stretches and work your way up over time. Don't force your body into positions it isn't used to, this could cause injury.
Hold each stretch for 10–30 seconds, and repeat it two to four times.
Stretching has several health advantages for your body and overall well-being. Stretch for 5 to 10 minutes before and after your workout. This will help prepare your body for exercise and reduce the risk of injury. When you're not able to perform a full stretch, hold each position for 30 seconds. This is known as performing a partial stretch.
When you first start stretching, it's recommended to start with smaller muscle groups to avoid overstretching and causing pain. As you become more familiar with your body's range of motion, you can increase the length of your stretches. It's important not to rush through your stretches; take your time and ease into each position to prevent hurting yourself.
Dynamic stretching involves moving your muscles through their full range of motion. This helps increase blood flow and reduces the likelihood of getting injured. Certain movements make better dynamic stretches than others - try walking lunges, jumping jacks, and swiss balls - they all work great for this type of stretching.
It's very important not to hold your breath while doing dynamic stretches. This can be dangerous because you may overexert yourself and cause damage to your lungs or heart. Follow normal breathing practices when doing dynamic stretches.