| Our bodies are amazing in that they are very capable | | | | fit if you include working with weights and you will find |
| of a lot of things. We do a lot of things during each | | | | you are injured a lot less. |
| day where the body stretches just by doing these | | | | Stretching helps you perform better because of your |
| activities. Pick up something, reach around your back | | | | new range of motion. You won't feel pain when |
| to scratch that itch or reach for your child's toy in an | | | | running or jumping and your performance will help you |
| awkward place. During times like these we understand | | | | start a new sport or just get a lot better at the one |
| how stretching helps our bodies function better. | | | | you are in now. You will enjoy better health, a fit body |
| Stretching is doing a motion that will stretch or | | | | and a new more active lifestyle. |
| straighten a part of the body. It will make it more | | | | You will find you are injured a lot less than if you did |
| flexible so you can do every day thing easier. If you | | | | not stretch. From a total body workout you will be |
| are having trouble doing the simple every day things | | | | stronger in all your muscles, back, tendons and joints. |
| you might consider starting a stretching routine of | | | | Muscles flexible and stretched are far less to be |
| some kind. | | | | injured because they can be stretched to the max |
| Stretching is not hard to do. Anyone can do it, but, | | | | helping you recover more quickly than if you didn't |
| depending on our age and fitness level we need to | | | | stretch. |
| start at the proper level. | | | | Ever have a tense back or shoulder? This can be |
| As we grow older we tighten up and our muscles are | | | | painful and very awkward for anyone just trying to do |
| harder to loosen and we have less range of motion. | | | | every day things. If you will start to exercise regularly |
| We all need to start a routine that involves basic | | | | and have a stretching routine added at the start of |
| exercises which will include stretching so that as we | | | | your routine you muscles will stay flexible and will be |
| age we will be more able to cope with daily activities | | | | able to handle the tough sessions with out a problem. |
| as simple as putting on our slippers. | | | | Your attitude will change and you will feel more |
| You can do exercises by themselves right at home in | | | | energetic. It feels great to be able to do things easily |
| your own time. This can be done in a short period of | | | | rather then have to walk on pins and needles watching |
| time. The best solution would be to start a complete | | | | every move I make for fear of injury. You will feel a |
| body workout routine which would include stretching, | | | | lot more confident knowing you can do a lot of things |
| cardio and weight training. This would help with flexibility, | | | | well. Your motivation and drive will change and your |
| strength and preparation for more intense activity later. | | | | new lifestyle will reflect a new energy you never had |
| If you are involved with a sport of any kind you will be | | | | before. |
| doing stretching before starting that activity to prevent | | | | Another great health benefit is that your cholesterol |
| injury. | | | | levels will go down. You must be eating well with the |
| There are different ways to stretch. You can stretch | | | | proper healthy diet to go along with your new workout |
| in a sitting position reaching out to touch the tip of the | | | | that includes weight training as well as stretching. It is a |
| foot or from a standing position reaching and bending | | | | total package. Just doing some stretches a few times |
| as far as possible. | | | | a week is not enough to get the results you want. |
| You don't want to stretch to long as this will tire out | | | | Just keeping fit the best you can will do wonders for |
| the body and then the effectiveness is gone. Keep the | | | | your health. You can prevent disease over time plus |
| time between 10 - 20 minutes so the body has time to | | | | lead a much more fulfilled life that not only will benefit |
| recover after a good stretch or flex. Do not over | | | | you, but your family as well. |
| stretch to hurt yourself, but stay within your limitations | | | | Remember it is a total body fitness plan you are |
| and work up from there. | | | | looking for. Stretching by itself is good but when it is |
| Stretching helps the body function better because it | | | | combined with exercise and healthy eating it is great. |
| increases your range of movement. The muscles will | | | | So find a plan designed by a trainer that is suitable for |
| get longer with continues stretching as well as the | | | | you and get started to a new and improved life. |
| range of motion of the tendons. You will become more | | | | |