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Stretching feels so good! If you can’t imagine your life without lifting – WAIT until you add in flexibility training.

A Quick & Easy Flexibility Routine to get Bendy Fast

I really can’t emphasize enough how important I think stretching is as part of a healthy fitness program. Both men and women can benefit greatly from incorporating agility training into their routine.

The best time to stretch is post-workout when your muscles are relaxed and you have completed any challenging strength-training exercises. However, light bending during your warm-up is fine and some athletes even like to ease muscle tightness between heavy lifts by lengthening muscle fibers during rest periods. I recommend my clients dedicate a minimum of ten minutes a day to improving flexibility. This time can be throughout their workout or as part of the cool-down.

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Here are 10 Good Reasons to Stretch!

  1. Straighter Posture. So many aspects of your life improve when you stand a little taller!
  2. Improved Balance. When you are holding positions your body is unfamilar with, stabilizer muscles kick in to save the day!
  3. Better Quality of Life. Playing sporstretch2ts, holding children and even getting into a low sports cars are all activities that can be ruined due to arthritis, a disease that can be prevented by stretching.
  4. More Attractive Muscle Shapes. Lengthening the muscle fibers as they repair to grow stronger develops beautiful body symmetry.
  5. Reduced Back Pain. Including light trunk rotations will improve spine health.
  6. Ease Muscle Soreness. Slow, light stretching will release tension and relieve the tight feeling of DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
  7. Mental Fortitude. Stronger willpower grows as you overcome the urge to give up and begin to enjoy the focus required to hold deep stretches.
  8. Less Chance of Injury. Staying nimble allows you to take falls like a champ, and if you do get banged up, you will recover faster.
  9. Establishes Mind/Body Connection. Keep your body in harmony.
  10. Promotes circulation. Stretching increases blood supply to the muscles and joints which allow for greater nutrient transportation and improves the circulation of blood through the entire body.

stretch1My early years as a jazz and tap dancer developed my good habit of stretching – although I only finally achieved the splits at 24, as I prepared for my debut as a fitness competitor! Increasing one’s flexibility does take dedication. My determination to wow the audience with a drop to the floor in a full split during my 90 second routine pushed me to spend time working on this aspect of my health.

Photos: by Larry Niven

Watch the video below for some of my favourite stretches to ease muscle stiffness, relieve hip flexor tightness and progress towards splits. Want more free advice & fitness tips? Get access by signing up here!