LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Why should you stretch after you exercise? Proformance fitness expert, Carlos Rivas, says stretching after a workout relaxes your muscles, increases circulation to joints and tissues, and helps remove unwanted waste products, thereby reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.
Research shows that the extremes of too little flexibility and too much flexibility are likely to cause injury and problems. Most people should aim for an average to normal level of flexibility, but if you don't stretch regularly, your range of motion will decline.
So how do you begin? First, never stretch before a workout. Proformance personal trainers encourage people to stretch after their workouts, when the muscles are warmest and least prone to injury from improper stretching. Exercise loosens the muscles and joints and prepares them to be stretched. Stretching comes after your dynamic warm up, workout and cool down.
The key to proper stretching is knowing how far to go-you should feel slight discomfort, but not pain. If it hurts, you've gone too far.
Stretching Tips
-Inhale deeply.
-As you exhale, slowly and smoothly stretch to a point of moderate tension,
-Never bounce or jerk.
-Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds.
-Breathe deeply and naturally during the stretch hold. Don't hold your breath. Stay relaxed.
-Slowly return to your start position, and relax for a few seconds.
Simple Stretching Routine
Hamstring stretch
Hip stretch
Lower back stretch
Torso stretch
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About Carlos Rivas:
Carlos Rivas, MS, CSCS is the Director of Health and Wellbeing @ ProFormance Fitness, LLC and FitCorp, LLC. He holds bachelor's degrees in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology. Carlos is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Certified Personal Trainer, American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness editor for Kentuckiana Health and Fitness Magazine, Strength and Conditioning instructor for the University of Louisville Exercise Science Program. Carlos can be reached by e-mail: carlosfitpro@gmail.com
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