Stretching is important for many reasons, it helps keep muscles strong and flexible and improves our range of motion. Stretching helps prevent injuries such as muscle damage, joint pain, and strains. It also provides the benefits of improving performance in physical activity and enabling your muscles to work most effectively.
Here are a few tips for stretching:
Make the goal symmetry
Focus on having the same range of motion on both sides of your body.
Focus on the major muscle groups
Make sure to focus your stretching on muscles groups like your hips, thighs, back, shoulders and neck.
Hold it
Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. You will want to continue to breathe normally while holding the stretch.
Stay Smooth
Bouncing while stretching can lead to injury and muscle tightness, make sure you are stretching in smooth movements.
Avoid Pain
Although you will feel some tension when stretching you should not feel pain. If you feel pain you are stretching too far, back off until you feel a good amount of tension and no pain. You will also want to check your form to make sure you are doing the stretch correctly.
Be Consistent
You should aim to do stretching at least 2 to 3 times a week to achieve and maintain the benefits. Yoga is a great way to incorporate stretching into your weekly routine.
Citizens Energy Group offers ATI Worksite Solutions. Amy is onsite Monday-Friday from 7AM-3:30PM. For more information on ATI Worksite Solutions contact Amy Myers at amy.myers@atipt.com.
