Exercise Right and Avoid These Top 6 Common Mistakes When Stretching

Stretching is a key part of any work out plan when trying to get fit as it helps to stretch your muscles, improving the flexibility in your joints and muscles as well as being able to improve posture, reduce injury and soreness as well as increasing blood flow and the supply of nutrients to key areas of your body. It is therefore vital that when you stretch you understand not only the importance of this action but also how to carry out stretches properly. Therefore here we'll provide you with the 6 top common mistakes which occur when stretching to make sure you never have to suffer a setback in your fitness journey.
1. Failing to Warm Up -
By not warming up before you stretch you increase the chances of developing an injury in many parts of your body. This is because without warming up before hand your muscles remain cold and stiff and so any immediate stretch exercises will more than likely cause your muscles to feel tight or even tear. It is therefore important that you increase your body temperature significantly before you start stretching to prevent injury.
2. Not Stretching The Right Muscles -
Another common mistake when stretching is not stretching the muscle you intend to stretch. This is due to not performing the exercise properly by not positioning your body in the right position. In turn this can cause your muscles not to be fully flexible and can lead to injury when carrying out more strenuous exercises. To prevent this pick up a guide which shows you how to carry out stretches properly and practice your stretches regularly.
3. An Unbalanced Stretching Regimen -
By not stretching all of your key muscles equally the muscles which have not been stretched can became tight and short during exercising leading to a greater chance of injury. Make sure that you stretch your upper body and lower body, paying particular attention to any areas which you feel may still feel tight. In this way your body can be fully flexible and prepared for the exercises ahead.
4. Faster Is Not Better -
Stretching exercises should not be performed in a quick manner but rather slowly and easily. Fast stretching will prevent your muscles from being fully extended and can also cause your muscles to be stretched into an unsafe position which can lead to temporary or even permanent damage. Therefore make sure you hold your stretches between 10-15 seconds or if advised longer, making sure your muscles are fully extended.
5. Not Stretching Enough -
In order to keep your muscles fully flexible as part of keeping your body in shape it is recommended that you should stretch between 4 to 5 times a week. Stretching 1 to 3 times a week or below can hinder your body's ability to be remain in shape and be ready for exercise at all times and can even lead your muscles to feel tight and short more often that if you stretched more regularly, losing any flexibility gains you may have made.
6. Stretching Doesn't Mean You're Fit -
Stretching your body regularly over time does not mean that your body is in a healthy and fit state. This is because stretching is only one part of a fitness exercise plan and so without combining stretches with other exercises such as endurance and aerobic as well as eating a healthy diet, a successful fitness journey cannot be maintained over long periods of time.


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