| Those of us who have rushed and intense workouts | | | | prolonged stationary position. Through regular |
| often tend to forget (or ignore) to do our stretching | | | | stretching, we can keep the blood flowing to these |
| before getting to our intensive exercises. But muscle | | | | tight and tense areas, allowing the muscles to move |
| stretching is actually very important because it | | | | freely. A muscle that is well-stretched moves in the |
| prepares our body for the different routines we plan | | | | range of motion it is meant to, requiring less effort and |
| on enduring, and it also helps to prevent some those | | | | increasing motion efficiency. If our muscles are |
| uncomfortable pains and injuries that really slow us | | | | stretched, most likely they will will not tear immediately |
| down or worse, put us out of commission. By | | | | after a workout or become overstretched from the |
| stretching, we will be more effective in our workouts | | | | long movements like in proper weight training. Tight |
| thus allowing for better results. | | | | muscles can limit the amount of blood supply in the |
| Looking at the benefits, consider that the critical joints | | | | joints and muscles. By stretching these muscles, we |
| of our bodies that are most susceptible to injuries are | | | | can improve the circulation and allow nutrients in the |
| the shoulder joints and hips. Without stretching, we are | | | | bloodstream to reach the cells. |
| more likely to encounter strains and dislocation in these | | | | After an intense workout, it is also recommended to |
| areas, which is not only uncomfortable, but puts at | | | | stretch your muscles. You see, stretching is not only |
| least a temporary end to our training until we recover. | | | | essential before exercising but after exercising as well. |
| This makes the strong argument for stretching before | | | | By doing this after the exercise, it will better prevent |
| working out; this also improves our flexibility. | | | | your muscles from tightening as they cool down and |
| Muscle stretching after our workouts is a smart way | | | | also will provide the proper alignment of the fibers. In |
| to reduce muscle stiffness as well as increase our | | | | addition to this, you can also do some massage to |
| range of motion for the following days. As well, this | | | | your muscles which is a great aid for rapid recovery. |
| helps keep our joints feeling "lubricated" instead of stiff, | | | | All in all, if you really want to be healthy and fit, muscle |
| and helps to improve the mechanical efficiency of our | | | | stretching should be integrated in your workout |
| joints. | | | | program. |
| We all know that our muscles tend to get tight after | | | | |