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Stretching Principles and Guidelines
Flexibility is one of the key components of a balanced fitness program. Without
flexibility training (stretching), you are missing an important part of overall
health. Flexibility prevents injury, increases your range of motion, promotes
relaxation, improves performance and posture, reduces stress and keeps your body
feeling loose and agile. Although there is still some controversy over which
flexibility exercises are the best and how often one should stretch. Most
fitness professionals agree that the principles and guidelines of flexibility
training that are about to be discussed are the safest and most effective.
Use Static Stretching
Static stretching involves a slow, gradual and controlled elongation of the
muscle though the full range of motion and held for 15-30 seconds in the
furthest comfortable position (without pain). This is the first and most
important stretching principle. In our opinion, all stretches for each muscle
group should be done by using this static form of stretching.
How often you should stretch is still not fully understood. Most professionals
would agree however, that daily stretching is best, during and after exercise
sessions. Frequent stretching will help you avoid muscular imbalances, knots,
tightness, and muscle soreness created by daily activities and exercise.
Always Warm-Up Before Stretching
A warm muscle is much more easily stretched than a cold muscle. Never stretch a
cold muscle, always warm-up first to get blood circulating throughout the body
and into the muscles. A warm-up should be a slow, rhythmic exercise of larger
muscle groups done before an activity. Riding a bicycle or walking works well.
This provides the body with a period of adjustment between rest and the
activity. The warm-up should last about 5-10 minutes and should be similar to
the activity that you are about to do, but at a much lower intensity. Once you
have warmed up at a low intensity for about 5-10 minutes and have gotten your
muscles warm, you can now stretch.
Stretch Before and After Exercise
I recommend stretching both before and after exercise, each for different
reasons. Stretching before an activity (after the warm-up) improves dynamic
flexibility and reduces the chance of injury. Stretching after exercise ensures
muscle relaxation, facilitating normal resting length, circulation to joint and
tissue structures, and removal of unwanted waste products, thus reducing muscle
soreness and stiffness. Body temperature is highest right after the
cardiovascular exercise program and/or after strength training. In order to
achieve maximum results in range of motion and to receive other benefits, it is
highly recommended that you do static stretching at this point in your workout,
just after your cardiovascular program and during or after your
strength-training program.
Stretch Between Weightlifting Sets
Both strength training and flexibility training are so important for everyone.
Those of you who have a hard time finding time to incorporate a strength
training program into your lifestyle, can combine your stretching with your
strength training programs. If you have had any experience in strength training,
you know that for each exercise for each muscle group you train, you have a
certain number of sets, usually between one and four. Between each set, you need
to rest and let your muscle recover before going on to the next set. Well, what
better use of your resting time than to stretch that specific muscle that you're
currently training? Think about it, you've just done a set of 10 reps on the
Bench Press. Now you have to rest, usually about one to two minutes before doing
the next set. This is a great time to stretch your chest-- your chest is warm
and you have time before you start your next set.
How often do you see people who neglect to warm up before their cardiovascular
exercise or strength-training sessions? They begin going through their
stretching routine before their muscles are even warm. It makes more sense to
stretch each specific muscle between sets of strength training exercises. For
example, if you are on a strength-training program where you do one exercise of
three sets of 10 reps for each major muscle group in the body, you will want to
work each muscle group one at a time starting with larger muscle groups and
proceeding to smaller groups. Do your first set with relatively light weight to
warm-up, then rest for a minute or so and then increase the weight and go onto
the next set of 10 reps (or whatever your goal reps happens to be).
After the second set, your muscles should be warm and ready to be stretched.
While resting before your third set, stretch the muscle that you have just
trained, remembering the important principles of a static stretch, then proceed
to your third and final set. Stretch the muscle one more time, even a little
further. Go on to the next exercise for the next muscle group and after it is
warm, do your stretch for that muscle, and so on. When you have gone through
each of your strength-training exercises, you will have stretched each muscle
without taking-up any more time.
Stretch Before and After Cardiovascular Exercise
If it is your day off from strength training and you are just doing your
cardiovascular exercise routine, first warm-up for 5-10 minutes at a low
intensity (50-60 percent of your maximum heart rate ) and stretch the muscles
used. Proceed doing a cardiovascular exercise for at least 20 minutes at a
intensity of 50-85 percent of your maximum heart rate (refer to the Global
Health and Fitness Cardiovascular Exercise Program). Then cool down for 5-10
minutes at a low intensity (50-60 percent of your maximum heart rate). Now,
because your muscles are very warm you should stretch each of the major muscle
groups involved in the exercise, using the static stretching techniques we
explained previously. For example, if you walked on the treadmill, you should
stretch your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and lower back. Proper technique
for each stretch is absolutely critical for achieving maximum effectiveness in
any one specific muscle group. In addition to stretching those muscles used in
the exercise, now is also a good time to go through a full body stretching
routine--since blood has circulated throughout your body and warmed-up your
muscles.
I hope you have found the information in this article helpful. You now have the
knowledge to achieve the results you desire and the benefits your body deserves.
Your greatest challenge, however, is not learning new stretching exercises or
the proper technique; it's not learning how long to hold the stretch or the best
time to stretch. Nor is it deciding when to try new stretching exercises. The
greatest challenge facing you at this moment is deciding whether you are willing
to take action and make time for yourself and make flexibility training a
priority.
When you begin achieving great results, the excitement and fun you experience
will make the change well worth the effort. Action creates motivation! Good
luck: I hope you enjoy all the wonderful benefits of an effective flexibility
training program.
By Chad Tackett
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