In what will probably be my final blog post, I've decided to talk about the importance of stretching. To many, it feels like a waste of time, but it has many benefits. I, myself, am guilty of neglecting stretching (particularly after a session), but always regret that the following day when I'm sore and aching. In this post, I will outline the importance of stretching, as well as different types of stretching and when best to incorporate them into your workout.
Benefits of Stretching
Reduces risk of injury
Regular stretching helps to reduce how tight your muscles are. Stretching can reduce your risk of picking up an injury, as tight or stiff muscles are far more prone to injury than stretched, warmed-up muscles are. Neglecting stretching can also risk damaging your tendons, because if your muscles aren't warmed-up and have less room to stretch, it puts extra tension on the tendons to allow this movement - and they may overexert, causing injury.
Improves Posture
The link between tight muscles and poor posture is like a vicious cycle. Tight muscles affect how we move, pulling our body into certain positions that might be poor for our posture. Poor posture itself can also cause tight muscles, particularly when in a poor postural position for long periods of time, which stretching can help to alleviate.
Types of Stretching
Dynamic Stretching
Dynamic stretching is best done before your workout. This involves active movement through the muscles' full range of motion.
Static Stretching
This involves stretching a certain muscle and holding it in that position for a period of time (30 seconds, for example). Regular static stretching aims to increase the muscle length over time, but should only be performed after a workout once the muscles have been warmed-up, as static stretching non warm-up muscles can often lead to strains.
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