Believe to Achieve: Stretching: How, When, & Why You Should Do It.

Our muscles are very complex. They get tight, and they hurt. But, with proper stretching, we can loosen them up thus, eliminating the nagging pains we often feel. When we stretch our muscles, they become more elastic and they have a greater range of motion. They often help us with our daily lives. With tight muscles (which most have now a days, due to the overwhelming rise in technology), it is hard sometimes to perform a simple daily action of even walking. Our posture becomes terrible, we hunch over, we complain when we walk. Our bodies are deteriorating, slowly. But thankfully, we have this little thing on our side called time.

With time, perseverance and patience. We can change that. We can reverse the damage we have caused. We can change what we have done to our bodies over time. With a simple stretching routine every morning, you will see improvement in your posture, in your mood, your physical pay load. Everything. You will noticed your gym activities, whatever they may be, will improve. Your life will improve ten fold.

Now, why do we stretch? Well when we are active, our muscles become tight, and filled with lactic acid. If not properly stretched, the tightness never goes away and sticks with us forever. Hindering our abilities to perform some simple tasks as: squatting down, bending over and even walking. Reaching for things, can become a burden too.

You can see why stretching is so important. It helps us, well live better lives. So I will tell you the basic fundamental stretches that will help you in your everyday life. And perform better at the gym.

With every stretch, hold it for 30-90 seconds, working your way up to 90.

1.Sit with your legs spread as far apart as you can, bend forward like a hinge at your waist, stretching your arms out towards your feet. Reaching as far as you can. And hold that position for up to 90 seconds, or as long as you can.

2. Repeat, doing it with a single leg.

3. The butterfly, I'm sure you remember this from gym class. Sit with your feet together, and press on your thighs with your elbows stretching open your hips.

4. Stand, feet spread as wide as you can, breathe in and exhale down slowly. As you fold your arms, hand your head, arms folded in front of you. And dangle there, stretching your hamstrings and lower back. This is a great one, to help your nagging hamstrings.

5. Now, feet wide again, squat as far as possible. And maintain that position. Stretching your hips again, and inner thighs.

6. Step one foot in front of the other, and bend forward, keeping your feel about 2 or 3 feet apart, like scissors. And bend over that front leg, like a hinge. Reaching as far as possible.

7.Repeat #6, but bend your front knee. Do #6 and #7 for both legs.

8. On your hands and knees, inhale, and arch your back, exhale and press it out. Called the cat stretch. Do this, for 10 reps.

9.Stand, and cross one arm across your chest and make an L with the other one, hugging it close to you. Repeat for both.

10. Reach one hand behind your back, like you have an itch and press on it with your opposite hand. Repeat for both arms.

11. Sit, with one leg crossed, putting your leg on the opposite side, and push on your knee with your elbow, stretching your spine. Take care of those spines, they help you live and walk right. It is, the "backbone" of your body.

12. Get in the push up position, and push back, having legs straight. And bend one ankle. Stretching your calf. Repeat on each side, up to 10 times.

Those, are pretty much the basics.

There is a more in depth stretching guide, I will be writing soon. For now, do these daily. But, at least 2 hours before you work out.

You don't want to do static exercises before working out. You want to do dynamic stretches, such as.

Body squats, pot stirs, etc.

These will open up your muscles and get them warm for working out.

Believe to Achieve

Friday, January 22, 2016

Stretching: How, When, & Why You Should Do It.

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