Stretching...do I need it?

    Ahhh stretching...for some of you the  'ah' emulates that feeling of release after a good stretch, for others it is a question 'do I really'? 

    When I first started teaching group fitness classes in the early 1980's we were always told to stretch and we understood why it was necessary but always felt like it could have been skipped or we kept it short and sweet.

     So the easy answer to this question is 'yes!'  That goes for all of us regardless of the type of workout, our fitness level or the length of the workout.

• Every workout should be followed by stretches at least for those muscles you were using. This includes cardio workouts like Spin, HIIT, Zumba, kickboxing, walking or running, etc. You are using muscles during all of these workouts.  Once you have completed your cardio work and cool down, also important, do some basic stretches for any of those muscles you felt fatigue during your workout.  Stretches will help to lengthen the muscles, decrease pain and stiffness, generate a feeling of overall relaxation and decrease stress which will prepare you for whatever is next in your day.
• Whether you are a beginner, experienced exerciser or an elite athlete, we all need to stretch! 'Yep, this means you.' In addition to the benefits above stretching provides many more that enhance our lives, here are just a few.  Improve range of motion by allowing major joints to move and continue to move unrestricted, such as the hips and shoulders.   Improves overall body function, helping to reverse imbalances brought on by poor posture, repetitive motions and extending periods of time sitting.  Minimize wear and tear on joints, by maintaining muscle balance on each side of a joint allows the joint to move freely and efficiently in all directions.   
• If you have a shortened time frame in which to do your workout, plan ahead to allow for at least 5 minutes of stretching at the end.  'How can I shorten' consider doing one less set, target certain areas instead of a full body workout, consider stretching as it part of your workout not just an afterthought.
• Improved quality of life and longevity.  When the muscles are balanced and the joints are moving freely the body is able to move through daily life more easily even in to our later years.
• Be patient and allow yourself some time to get accustom to adding stretching to your workout.  You will come to realize you feel much better after adding flexibility training (stretching) to your workout and you will look forward to that feeling of release and relaxation.  

Now go get strong & flexible

😅💓💪