STRETCHING....

How important is stretching?  Do you stretch before a workout?  Do you stretch after a workout? Maybe it is so confusing, and you never really learned to stretch properly,  that you don't bother to stretch at all!!  You know it is something that you should do, but a couple of deep knee bends, or toe touches just don't cut it.

If you skip stretching you put yourself at risk for injuries, losing range of motion and stability.

There are 3 different kinds of stretching, and each is used for a different purpose.  Combine them properly, and you will prepare your muscles to expand and contract quickly, which will up your flexibility and well as promote healing between your workouts.

DYNAMIC STRETCHING:

This is moving your limbs through a range of motion without holding any one single position.

This is great before you workout, and right after a light cardio session.

The purpose is to prepare yourself for the upcoming workout, by training your muscles to stretch and contract through a specific motion type.

Always keep the movement smooth and controlled.

STATIC STRETCHING:

This is stretching a muscle as far as you can without any pain, and holding it there.

This is great for post-workouts.

This  proves to increase your flexibility, by holding the stretch steady, you train the muscle to relax to protect itself.

 The stretch should be held for 15 - 30 seconds.

MYOFASCIAL STRETCHING:

This is applying pressure to different muscles by sliding parts of your body over a foam roller.

You can do this anytime.

The purpose is to reduce overall tension.  You are actually hitting the "fascia", which is the membranes that surround the muscles.  You are getting rid of the "knots" so the muscles can contract without grinding against each other.

Press as much body weight as possible into the foam roller. It may hurt a bit as you are doing it, but you will feel relaxed after doing it.