Once you begin your run/walk program you will want to maintain your flexibility. One of the best ways to do this is to stretch before and after your exercise session.
Warming up the muscle is key to getting a good stretch. Think of your muscles as elastic bands...well if you put an elastic band in the refrigerator it will not stretch well, however warm it up and it has a more elastic property. Just like that elastic band, warming up the muscle and getting some blood flow through it will help improve the flexibility of that muscle.
When you stretch you should stretch to a position of mild discomfort and then hold that position for 10-30 seconds. This should be repeated on each muscle three to four times. Also while stretching do not hold your breathe, breathe as normally as possible.
Good news, flexibility can be improved in as little a time as two sessions per week!
Showing posts with label Stretching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stretching. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Stretching is Key
Whether you are a walker or runner of any type, stretching is an essential yet often overlooked part of the training workout. Simply just stretching may not be enough if it is not done correctly.
For every workout there are two parts to stretching, the pre-workout and post-workout stretch.
The pre-workout stretch gets the muscles ready for the workout by allowing blood to flow into the muscles and the increasing flexibility of the muscles which will be used during the activity. This allows you to get into the workout quicker.
The post-workout stretch will help move out of the muscles any lactic acid that will have accumulated in the muscles during the workout. This will allow for a quicker recovery and alleviate some of the soreness that you could experience from the exertion placed on the muscles during the workout.
If you are an older athlete, 30 years and older it becomes even more important to incorporate stretching into your workout routine as all the benefits of having young stretchy muscles starts declining. Stretching will help avoid some of the little injuries that can occur in older athletes that younger athletes take for granted.
Stretching Images
For every workout there are two parts to stretching, the pre-workout and post-workout stretch.
The pre-workout stretch gets the muscles ready for the workout by allowing blood to flow into the muscles and the increasing flexibility of the muscles which will be used during the activity. This allows you to get into the workout quicker.
The post-workout stretch will help move out of the muscles any lactic acid that will have accumulated in the muscles during the workout. This will allow for a quicker recovery and alleviate some of the soreness that you could experience from the exertion placed on the muscles during the workout.
If you are an older athlete, 30 years and older it becomes even more important to incorporate stretching into your workout routine as all the benefits of having young stretchy muscles starts declining. Stretching will help avoid some of the little injuries that can occur in older athletes that younger athletes take for granted.
Stretching Images
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