How many of you stretch before and after a work out? I can say I am guilty of this, sometimes I don't have time to stretch, but I notice I pay for it later.
Stretching is so important in any exercise it helps with stiffness and decreases your chance of injury, you also increase flexibility.
How many times do you push yourself and the next day can barley move, stretching helps reduce your pain or at least you can move more before you start to feel the pain.
Stretching:
#1 - If you are stretching before and exercise remember - Never stretch a cold body - warm up a few minutes before stretching. It doesn't matter if it is warm outside or you feel hot, you still need to warm up for a few minutes. ex: running in place, jumping jacks ect...
#2 - Stretching should not be painful if you feel pain you are either stretching too hard or need to try a different stretch, if this still continues you need to consult with your doctor. If you are stretching you can feel a slight pull not any pain, stay relaxed don't rush stretching.
#3 - Stretching after an exercise helps relax and loosen your muscles, this helps with stiffness the next day. As long as stretching is done properly.
Types of stretching:
Ballistic stretching - This is stretching in a bouncing motion
Static stretching - stretching is used to stretch muscles while the body is at rest
Depending on what you are doing you will probably do one or both of these types of stretches.
