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As instructors and fitness professionals of Reform Athletica, our mission is to educate people before, during, and after class. We want to help you achieve results that inspire you to keep going.
In addition to the strength and balance you build throughout our classes, you also need to find length in your muscles to consistently achieve results.
Finding length in your muscles means extending your boundaries, gaining flexibility, and reaching for a well-rounded experience. As many of us find ourselves working from home (and sitting for longer periods of time), it’s now more important than ever to make time to move our bodies, and that doesn't always mean a fully-fledged Reform class. You can still fit movement into your daily work schedule.
If you’ve ever wondered if stretching is an exercise, the answer is yes. Stretching benefits your balance, mobility, posture, and much more. However, many people overlook the benefits of stretching for overall physical health. The fact is, flexibility can help reduce injuries and improve your well-being.
Stretching plays an essential role in your overall well-being and fitness by helping keep your muscles flexible and healthy. This, in turn, increases your range of motion, prevents aches and pains, and reduces your risk for overuse injuries.
Another must-know stretching benefit is that it helps you relax and relieve stress, which is why it’s an activity you should do before and during your strength training class and include in your daily routine.
One of the top benefits of stretching before a workout is that it prepares your body for physically demanding activities, which helps reduce your risk of injury.
When you stretch before working out, you improve your range of motion and flexibility, allowing you to move freely and with less difficulty, thereby enhancing your overall performance.
The benefits of stretching after a workout are the same as those you experience pre-workout, but there are some additional noteworthy ones.
A post-workout stretch helps bring your heart rate back down, which is often elevated after exercising. This action can get your mind back into a neutral state, so you don’t feel too amped up. Stretching after a workout benefits also include reducing the lactic acid buildup in your muscles, which can make you feel sore or tender after a workout, such as a sculpt fitness class.
Now that you know the purpose of stretching, here are some exercises to include in your routine:
To learn more about achieving your best workout through stretch, release, and deep relaxation, we encourage you to participate in one of our Reform yoga classes in Dubai.
Here are more details worth knowing about the importance of stretching before and after exercise:
Yes, you should include it in all your workout sessions. Stretching before and after a workout allows the body to warm up, improves joint mobility, and reduces stiffness after exercise. A few dynamic stretches before you start and a short set of static stretches at the end can support better recovery.
Dynamic stretching, such as skipping, butt kicks, and hamstring scoops, involves active movements that take your joints through a comfortable range of motion. These warm your muscles and get your body ready to work. Static stretching, like quad, calf, and TFL stretches, involves holding a position for a set time to relax and lengthen the muscles. This style works best at the end of a workout or during a cooldown.
For post-workout stretching, hold each stretch for about 30 seconds. You may need to hold it for 60 seconds for problem areas. Breathe normally while stretching to avoid any difficulties and unlock more stretching exercise benefits.
Now that you know the importance of stretching before and after workouts, aim to stretch at least three to five times per week if you want to improve flexibility. Doing stretching exercises for ten to fifteen minutes is enough as long as you stay consistent. Focus on slow, comfortable holds and give attention to areas that feel tight.
