Great Tips and Tricks for Properly Stretching After Your Next Workout

Stretching is about far more than just prepping your muscles for a workout.

It’s also been proven to help fight depression, reduce the symptoms of diabetes, and improve your athletic performance.

But stretching the wrong way can just as easily lead to injury.

Keep reading to learn a few tips and tricks for properly stretching after your next workout.

Never Stretch Beyond Mild Discomfort

When it comes to stretching, a little bit of discomfort is to be expected. After all, if you only reach to a point that feels comfortable, your muscles aren’t really being activated and stretched.

However, you should never stretch to the point where your position feels painful. Over-stretching can lead to strains, tears, and other injuries.

Push yourself to a point of mild discomfort. When a certain stretch starts to feel comfortable and easy, reach a little further or try a new position that will give you a better stretch.

Hold Your Stretch for at Least 10 Seconds

Simply reaching towards your toes, giving them a tap, and then standing back up isn’t going to stretch your muscles.

You need to hold your position for a minimum of 10 seconds for it to be effective. If you are able to, you can hold it for up to 30 seconds. Avoid holding it for longer, as you may risk injuring yourself.

Keep Your Routine Balanced

For every action, there is a reaction.

Your body has muscle groups that work together to power your actions. So if you stretch one group of muscles, you also need to stretch the complementary muscles to that group.

For instance, if you stretch the muscles in the back of your thigh, you should stretch the muscles in the front next.

Mix Up Your Stretching

Just as sticking to the same workout all the time can lead to complacency and boredom, failing to mix up your stretching can leave you tempted to skip your next session.

If you’ve been doing the same old stretches for a while, consider mixing it up.

Research new stretches online. Sign up for a yoga class. Visit a physiotherapist to ask about new stretches to target specific trouble zones.

Properly Stretching Requires Practice

If you want your post-workout stretch to be more effective, you need to make stretching a normal part of your daily routine.

Just like whatever sport you choose for your workout, stretching takes practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at holding the right positions and pushing your muscles to the point of a good stretch.

Invite Some Friends

Working out with friends can help keep you motivated. The same is true for stretching.

Invite some friends to join you for your next stretch session. Better yet, if you’re already a master-stretcher, why not share your talent?

Newsletter templates allow you to quickly and easily send out your own weekly guide to help others become just as good at stretching as you are.

Stretching It Out

Properly stretching after your workout can help prevent injuries, improve your performance, and even help you recover faster.

But stretching isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You need to find the positions and routines that work best for you and your workout of choice. Try a few out or talk with an expert to find the perfect solution for you. Then, check out our website to discover other workouts and programs that might be right for you!