Flexibility

Never assume that a healthy heart, strong and toned muscles are all you needed to keep your body looking good and be fit. But without flexible muscles, range of motion is weakened, which can ultimately lead to inefficient muscle functionality and injury.

Flexibility is essential for limber muscles and healthy joints; unfortunately it is the most neglected pillar of fitness. Each muscle-building exercise is followed by a corresponding stretch designed to promote flexible muscles and connective tissue.

Stretching is where you get the most benefit from your workout because it maintains muscles healthy, long, and lean. The exercise should always take place after a workout, when you’ve raised the heart rate and warmed the body; otherwise, it can lead to muscle strain and injury. Work into the stretch slowly but never bounce, holding it for 15 seconds to allow your muscles to let loosen-up.

Stretching is a good synergy to strength training because it increases blood flow to the muscles and breaks down lactic acid, which can cause stiff, sore muscles. Incorporating slow and deep breathing optimizes the outcome of the stretch by nourishing your muscles with abundance of oxygen. Breath through the nose, exhale at the end of a stretch to allow your breath to take you deeper into complete freedom of motion. The following are the benefits of stretching:

· Improves muscles flexibly.

· Healthier joints

· Improves range of motion

· Prevents injury

· Increases Oxygen into the muscles.

· Reduces muscle soreness by breaking down lactic acid.

This article or post is not intended to provide individual advice which should be obtained directly from your health care professional