Active Stretching – How It Can Improve Your Health

Active Stretching like exercising regularly, including both cardiovascular and strength training are very important aspect to keeping a healthy lifestyle. Exercises like visiting the gym for an exhausting aerobic class, a five kilometer jog, or simply a slow walk in the park are all good ways for the body to maintain at a optimal weight and for the heart and circulatory system to stay strong and functioning well.

Yet, many people plainly forget or avoid active stretching of their bodies because they are too tired, or they feel they don’t have enough time after their workouts to stretch adequately. Active stretching is a necessary and often overlooked part of a healthy overall exercise workout and should be integrated along with the daily routine of one’s life.

While many people would love to learn how to properly and actively stretch their muscles after a workout or even throughout the day to relieve tension and stress, most are not aware of good posture and technique that are an important part of active stretching. Where active stretching and exercising is concerned, there are certain safety guidelines that one should look out for.

When someone is stretching, the body needs to be warmed up, either by walking or doing daily household chores or manual labor. One should not begin a workout routine by stretching, as the muscles are not loose enough to properly flex themselves, and a strain can easily occur. Five to ten minutes of walking on the treadmill at a moderate to brisk pace can constitute an adequate warm-up to your exercise routine. The best time for active stretching is after you are done with your workout, both cardio and weight-training.

What types of active stretching one do often depends on the type of workout that is employ. For example, running is a very popular and beneficial form of cardiovascular exercise, both on the treadmill and outside. It is crucial that after the running routine, one takes time to properly stretch their legs, hips and ankles.

One stretch is suitably named the “runner’s stretch” and is done by having one knee bent out in front of the body while the opposite leg is stretched behind and straight. The hands are down on the ground on either side to hold up the torso. The hamstrings and hips get a good stretch with this technique, as well as other parts of the body.

Sitting on the floor with the heels of the feet together and knees falling out to the side is also a good stretch for the inner thighs and hips. You gently lean forward from the waist and bring your forehead toward your feet as you breathe deeply.

A great way to integrate increased flexibility into your muscles and tendons, one should do active stretching whenever possible because it not only help prevent sport’s injuries but also bring along much more benefits to improve your health.

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