Why You Shouldn’t Forgo Stretching During Your Workout Regime

Why stretch when it isn’t the fastest way to lose weight?

To stretch or not to stretch; that is the question. Stretching during your workout regime is an extremely important practice, helping improve your muscle elasticity and toning them. As a result, you achieve better range of motion, improved muscle control and increased flexibility.

The question still remains why should it be added to your daily workout regime? Adding a stretch session to your daily routine, even if you are not exercising vigorously, will benefit you in a number of ways. Let’s see how.

Importance of Stretching for the Body

One of the biggest perks of stretching during workout regimes is that it improves flexibility. The more you move your muscles, the more flexible they become.

Stretching is also known to build better posture. A poor posture can also be improved and healed with stretching regularly. Your posture will become more vertical and relaxed since stretching fosters better alignment by strengthening your muscles.

Regular stretching also decreases the likelihood of injuries. Movement become much easier when your muscles are stretched and warm, aiding in injury prevention.

Not many people know this, but stretching not only boosts the blood supply, it also increases the supply of nutrients to the muscles. Nutrients are carried through the blood when your body stretches, allowing an equal spread. The increase in nutrients also helps reduce body soreness and fatigue.

Importance of Stretching for the Mind

Stretching provides you a mental break. It allows time to refresh and restart your blood flow, ensuring in a peaceful and calmer mind.

You may have wondered why our muscles tighten when we feel overwhelmed with stress. It happens because our muscles carry stress. More stretching equals less tension in the muscles. One could call stretching a form of stress management.

When you stretch during workouts, more nutrients flow through your body, helping you feel refreshed and energized.

Benefits of Stretching

A well-rounded stretching routine is equally important for everyone; young or old. Although it doesn’t promise to be the best exercise for weight loss, when incorporated into your daily lifestyle, it will reap the following benefits:

Releases muscle tension

Upon beginning a workout routine, our muscles are naturally tense. One of the major causes of soft tissue injuries is when athletes don’t allow their muscles to stretch before expanding and contracting them in full range motion. If you are a beginner, a stretch routine will help work the full range of your muscles and prep them for forthcoming movements during your exercise routine.

Augments range of motion

When you perform a stretch routine, you allow your joints to warm up. This readies the joints for any stress you might bear during your exercise workout, reducing your probability of injuries.

Enhances Coordination

Stretching makes your entire body move cohesively and allows muscle expansion and contraction. This one technique amplifies the efficiency of the body during an actual workout session.

Improves Blood Circulation