Most of today's society is plagued with muscular imbalances due to repetitive patterns of movement which place undue stress on the body. That includes sitting or standing for long periods, and repeating the same movements overtime. Muscular imbalance are a result of poor movement of the joints, inappropriate muscles taking over the function of the primary muscles, and decreased nueromuscular control. Static stretching is a great way to correct this.
No matter what your fitness lever or your age, you can benefit from static stretching. Stretching will improve neuromuscular efficiency, improve joint range of motion, and improve the overall function of muscles. This helps to prevent injury and relieve pain.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive muscle soreness.
And if you don't exercise and you lead a sedentary lifestyle it's even more crucial you perform some form of static stretching and flexibility exercises. Just remember to only stretch to the point of slight tension and hold for at least 30 seconds. Never bounce while stretching.
Static, Active, Dynamic, and SMR with a foam roll are a few different forms of flexibility training. The most common is static stretching. Static stretches require that you hold a stretch for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds. It helps to improve flexibility by lengthening the muscles being stretched. Static stretches are best for correcting muscular imbalances and is the best place to start.
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. - 16752
No matter what your fitness lever or your age, you can benefit from static stretching. Stretching will improve neuromuscular efficiency, improve joint range of motion, and improve the overall function of muscles. This helps to prevent injury and relieve pain.
Flexibility and static stretching exercises can be performed during warm up and cool down. Stretching during warm up prepares your muscles prior to exercise and prevents injury. Stretching after a workout improves joint range of motion and helps your muscles recover after a workout which also prevents excessive muscle soreness.
And if you don't exercise and you lead a sedentary lifestyle it's even more crucial you perform some form of static stretching and flexibility exercises. Just remember to only stretch to the point of slight tension and hold for at least 30 seconds. Never bounce while stretching.
Static, Active, Dynamic, and SMR with a foam roll are a few different forms of flexibility training. The most common is static stretching. Static stretches require that you hold a stretch for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds. It helps to improve flexibility by lengthening the muscles being stretched. Static stretches are best for correcting muscular imbalances and is the best place to start.
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. - 16752
About the Author:
Gina Gardi is a certified personal trainer through NASM and is the owner of a Strength Training Website which offers free workout plans and general fitness information. Visit the website for sample Stretching Flexibility Exercises that include static, SMR with foam roll, and active stretching. It includes illustrated exercises and detailed instructions.