Thursday, May 10, 2012

In Stretching

I believe in stretching. I believe that giving your muscles that extra bit of TLC after your workout is very beneficial later on. I definitely notice a difference in my running performance if I habitually stretch after each time I hit the road.  Also I notice that my pace is faster and I can run longer/more miles. Even if my muscles aren't sore if I don't stretch, but the added bonus on stretching makes them lose the feel of fatigue I sometimes get after a long day at work. 

All that stress that can build up from work contributes to poor posture. I am among the many that sit at a desk with their computer about 5-7 hours a day depending on meetings. All the aches and pains you have in  your lower back, neck, and shoulders is due to the tense and tight muscles. By stretching these muscles you keep your body in better alignment and improve your overall posture. 

Furthermore, stretching allows for greater flexibility which inevitably decreases injury. By lengthening your muscles, we increase our overall range of motion. So next time you finish getting your sweat on remember to take the time to lower your heart rate and alleviate the tight muscles.