When developing fitness routines, people often tend to overlook stretching. But, the fact is that it can play a vital role in enhancing performance, improving flexibility, preventing injuries and ensuring overall wellbeing. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, or someone trying to improve their general fitness level, it is a good idea to incorporate stretching in your workout. Some of the top reasons for you to prioritize stretching are outlined as follows.
Increased flexibility and better range of motion
One of the major benefits that stretching offers is better range of motion and higher flexibility. Doing stretching exercises regularly helps you in loosening and lengthening muscles, which allows them to move more freely. Increasing flexibility can help you boost your athletic performance and you will be able to maintain better form during exercise. Furthermore, it can also help in reducing the risk of injuries and muscle imbalance. When you increase flexibility, you can do your daily activities a lot more easily, as reaching, bending and twisting becomes comfortable.
Preventing injuries
Stretching plays a key role in preventing injuries, especially when you combine it with other warm-up exercises. Stretching increases the oxygen supply and blood flow to the muscles, thereby preparing them and the connective tissue for any physical activity. When you add stretching to your pre-workout routine, you will be able to reduce muscle tension and stiffness. This can minimize the risk of sprains, strains and muscle tears during sports and exercise. Furthermore, you can also prevent chronic pain and postural imbalances when your joints and muscles become flexible.
Better posture and muscular balance
Poor posture has become a common issue these days, as a greater number of people have sedentary lifestyles. The negative impacts of prolonged sitting can be counteracted via stretching. You can target the muscles that have become tight and shortened, such as hamstrings, hip flexors and the chest. You can lengthen these muscles by stretching regularly, which improves your posture and enables your body to be properly aligned. You can also maintain muscular balance through stretching, as it ensures that the flexibility is similar in opposing muscle groups.
Relaxation and stress relief
Not only does stretching benefit your body, but it can also be good for the mind. Stretching exercises can also help you relax and reduce your stress levels. This is because it helps in releasing the tension in the muscles, which can help you stay calm and reduce the feeling of tightness. The mindful focus and deep breathing required in stretching can also benefit your mental wellbeing. It relieves anxiety and gives your overall mood a boost.
Enhanced recovery
After you are done with a workout sessions, your muscles will feel tight and sore because of the micro-tears and build-up of lactic acid in the muscle fibers. Stretching increases blood circulation and this can help in the recovery process because it provides nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and removes waste products. It can also alleviate muscle stiffness and soreness, which promotes a faster recovery and enables you to get back to your fitness routine quickly.
