Why Do You Need To Stretch Before A Workout

Why Do You Need To
Stretch Before A
Workout?

Stretching is an essential and an integral part of every workout program,
especially mobility stretches because flexibility is considered to be part of
the five most important components of everyone’s fitness It should be
included in all regular training regimes and these are the main reason why:
Reduction of Injury Risk
When a person is flexible they reduce their risk of becoming injured
from extensive movements and this allows you to safely increase your
range of joint movement and motion.
Stretching helps to stop the degeneration of your joints and muscles.
The act of stretching your muscles loosens up and prepares the body
for the impact of exercise; this reduces the chance of any injury. A
strong muscle that is pre-stretched is better able to resist stress than
an un-stretched muscle.
Stretching helps to improve a person’s posture, especially stretching
the shoulders, chest and lower back. The flexibility gained from
stretching in the hip flexors, hamstrings and muscles attached to the
pelvis help to relieve stress on the spine and nerves of the back
reducing the chances of lower back pain.
The body’s stress levels can decrease with stretching because as they
warm up they hold less tension, this allows your muscles to relax
properly. Muscles that are always tense tend to cut off much of their
own blood circulation causing oxygen starvation and damage.
Mobility stretches improve the mechanical efficiency and
performance of joints because it makes them more energy efficient,
they will also improve your “body awareness” and increase your
body’s ability to learn and perform different types of skilled
movements.

Post Exercise, Stretching
Stretching after exercise or maintenance exercise is now considered
to be just as important as pre-exercise stretches. By stretching the
muscles you used during your workout session gets the muscles back
to their normal length, which can help to alleviate any potential pain
or stiffness because it reduces the tightening and shortening effect
that often happens while exercising.
Usually, a maintenance stretch is held for between 0 to 5 seconds and
repeated five to ten times.
This is often important for females as it helps relieve or reduce the
chances of dysmenorrhea (painful Menstruation).
You Should Avoid Stretching
If you have had any recent bone fractures, strains, sprains or cramps
except under the direction of your medical provider such as a
physiotherapist.
If your joints or muscles are infected or inflamed.
If you have any signs of osteoporosis or are suffering from gout or
other forms of arthritis.
If you feel any unusual pain when moving the joint or the muscles
when stretched.
If you are suffering from any type of bold disorder or skin disease.