It is so easy to skip stretching.  I skip it myself after many workouts. What gives?  We all know stretching is beneficial.  Why do we brush it aside so easily?

To encourage ourselves to stretch more we need to 1) enjoy it and 2) recognize it has value. Even if we don’t love exercise, many people make themselves do it because they know it’s good for them.  Why isn’t it the same for stretching?

Why We Stretch:

Range of Motion

We don’t need to be the newest member of Cirque Du Soleil, but it’s beneficial to maintain our mobility.  Ultimately that’s what stretching does.  It helps you keep your full range of motion (ROM) at every joint.

When we lose range of motion and flexibility, it limits what we can do.  Maybe you’ve noticed you can’t get up and down off the floor anymore, it’s hard to get your sock on, or you can’t scratch that itch on your back in a spot you used to be able to reach.

Reduce Pain

Also, limited ROM can lead to pain and discomfort.  If joints are clamped down and restricted it can lead to injury or pain.  This works at the other extreme too.  People who are hypermobile often don’t feel a great sense of stretch, but the looseness in their joints can lead to a lot of pain.  Ultimately, it’s about balance.  But an injury at a joint will often be helped by the right stretch.

Stretching after a workout can help relieve soreness too.

Maintain Agility

I hate to blame things on aging, but the reality is things change as we age.  If you wake up and feel stiff and achy very often some gentle stretches are the answer.  Move a little and you can go about your day feeling more limber.  Skip the morning stretches (that most animals need upon waking) and it can take longer to work all the kinks out.

Prepare for Movement

When I was young, we started workouts with static stretches.  Now, the research shows that can lead to more injuries.  Static stretches are better and more impactful after a workout when you are warmed up.  Dynamic stretches are better before exercise to help the muscles prepare for the big moves they are about to do (more on dynamic stretches below and in the video).

Ways to Stretch So You Enjoy it More:

Less Intense

A stretch should feel like there is effort involved, but there should be no pain.  If you are in agony or feel like you are shaking you may actually reduce gains.  Ease off.  To gain flexibility your body needs to trust it can exist where you are putting it.  If you’re shaking, it doesn’t trust that yet.  Build up incrementally and you’ll probably make progress faster.

Different Styles of Stretch

You can hold a traditional static stretch.  The ideal time is 15-30 seconds.  But if that is boring or doesn’t feel good, you have other options. You can activate the muscle while you stretch (PNF stretch).  See the video below for more on that.   You can also do a dynamic stretch.  You move through different stretches, never holding but instead staying in constant motion (see the video below for an example).  You can also consider foam rolling.  There are some studies that show foam rolling can be as effective as stretching. Ultimately there are options.  If you don’t like one style of stretching, try something different.  But pick something you’ll do.

If you’re interested in trying more flowing stretches, try our Full Body Refresh classes On Demand. Instructions provided below:

  • Go to the Personal Euphoria website – www.PersonalEuphoria.com
  • On the top, you can log in or create an account if it’s your first time (remember username and password)
  • Once logged in click on “On Demand Videos” on the left
  • Scroll down to find the Full Body Refresh Section and click through to choose a video

If you encounter a problem registering or with the on-demand classes, please contact the Personal Euphoria IT department at (860)-266-6885 – option 2 – M-F from 7:30am-8pm (M-F from 7:30am-8pm). You can also email them at: [email protected]

Keep Reading

Interested in more of Maggie’s CT Live’s? Click here to read and watch about Losing Muscle!

Is the cold weather still keeping you inside? Check out this blog where Maggie lays out how to do indoor workouts!

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