The thing we need to know and understand is that stretching is one of the most important parts of any workout. It is the key to have a relaxed and effective workout or having an uncomfortable or even injury-prone workout.
After some observation and research, we have come to the conclusion that a lot of us know that we should stretch before a workout but the problem comes in at the juncture where we realized not all of us know how to stretch properly.
So to help we’ve come up with a list of very need to know information about stretching to help you stretch better for a better workout experience.
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Single knee to chest stretch:
For this pain-relieving stretch, start by lying on your back with one leg straight and the other bent at the knee. Pull your bent knee in towards your torso with your hands, and hold for at least 30 seconds.
Before switching legs, let your spine rest in its natural position flat on the ground for a few deep breaths.
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Don’t Stretch Cold Muscles
Always warm up first. Start with a jog in place, a light march on the spot, or even some jumping jacks. Don’t just jump into a stretch. You want your body to be warm and limber enough for you to stretch properly, effectively, and safely.
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Keep your muscles warm
Always aim to keep your muscles warm. Warmth or rather heat in the body makes the muscles more flexible which in turn makes it easier for you to get into a deeper and more effective stretch.
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Hold the Stretch
In order for you to gain and extend your body’s flexibility, you need to slowly push yourself and endure uncomfortable stretching for at least 30 seconds to a 1 minute. Hold the stretch and don’t let go until you feel the muscle you are stretching has been activated and stretched effectively.
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Special thanks to our Fitness Model Ophela Mdluli please visit her Instagram page in the link below: