You might be missing out if stretching isn’t a regular component of your health and exercise regimen.
By lengthening the muscles through movement or by stretching them, stretching is a sort of exercise that improves flexibility and mobility.
Improve Your Health By Stretching
Stretch without moving Imagine yourself in gym class, bending over and reaching for your toes. When stretching in this way, an external force (such as a towel, resistance band, gravity, or another person) aids in extending the stretch. Kate Galliett, a Price, Utah-based functional range conditioning mobility specialist and NASM-certified personal trainer, offers the hamstring stretch with a towel or belt as another illustration. It’s frequently done for relaxation and after a workout.
static extending According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, static stretching entails extending a limb until it feels stretched and then holding it there, frequently for 20 to 45 seconds. Although “static stretching” and “passive stretching” are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a small distinction between the two, according to Balliett. Both static and passive stretching include holding a stretch, however, with static stretching, you are somehow supporting yourself while you are in the stretch position. Static stretching is, for instance, when you kneel on the floor and maintain a position in which your hip flexor, the muscle in front of your hip, is stretched out. However, “it would be a passive stretch,” explains Galliett, if you were to lie on your side on a massage table and have a physical therapist move your leg back to stretch your hip flexor. Similar to passive stretching, static stretching is frequently used as a form of relaxation and after exercise.
dynamic stretching Active stretching refers to positioning a limb to stretch a muscle and maintaining that position with your muscle strength. Balliett, who is also the author of Becoming Unbreakable: How to Build a Body You Love to Live In, suggests that you lie on your back and lift one straight leg using your leg muscles until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. She says that because this method involves light strength training, it can be beneficial for those who are healing from injuries.
stretching in isometric According to Galliett, this technique combines a static muscle contraction—where the muscle doesn’t alter length—with an active or static stretch. The muscle you are stretching is being pushed against by some force. As an illustration, imagine stretching your calves while lunging forward with one foot, straightening your rear leg with your heel pressing down, and pushing your arms against the wall in front of you. Typically, you perform three to six repetitions of alternating between tightening the muscle for 10 seconds and extending it for 30 seconds. Since isometric stretching increases the number of neural system impulses that tell the muscles it’s allowed to stretch more, it can be quite beneficial for persons who want to improve their flexibility relatively quickly.
Enhanced proprioceptive neuromuscular activity (PNF) According to Galliett, PNF is identical to isometric stretching, with the exception that the contract-relax technique may be used for only 15 seconds of stretching and 7 seconds of contraction. In addition to stretching the muscle being stretched, this technique also involves contracting the muscle across from it. Balliett explains that a hamstring stretch would entail lying on your back while having one leg raised till you feel a stretch in the back of the lifted leg. Hold the position for 15–30 seconds. The quadriceps (the muscle at the front of your thigh) should then be contracted for a further 7 to 15 seconds. Allow your hamstring to extend a little bit more while remaining calm. For 15 to 30 seconds, hold. Stretches last twice as long as contractions.
Flexible stretching You warm up for a workout by performing regulated movements that cause your muscles to move through their complete range of motion, which signals your brain to start moving. According to Balliett, dynamic stretching involves moving while stretching the muscles. Dynamic stretches include torso twists, leg swings, and walking lunges, to name a few.
stretching somatically Somatic stretching, in contrast to the other varieties, doesn’t call for holding a stretch for a predetermined amount of time. With an emphasis on paying attention to how the muscles feel, you release physical tension through soft, organic movements. When you wake up, you might, for instance, arch your back and stretch while letting your head dangle and paying attention to the sensations that go along with it.
Stretching’s Health Benefits
According to ACE, the various forms of stretching all work to extend the body’s muscles and keep them (and you, therefore) mobile.
Stretching has several health advantages, including:
More adaptability
enhanced mobility
greater motion range
lower chance of harm
Aging well
According to Harvard Medical School, stretching improves muscle flexibility, which is necessary to preserve a healthy range of motion in the joints. According to the International Sports Sciences Association, mobility is the ability of the joint (where two bones meet) to move through its whole range of motion, whereas flexibility is the ability of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to stretch without help.
It’s important to work on your mobility and flexibility if you sit a lot during the day, or even if you don’t live a sedentary lifestyle. Even when we are up and about, many of us tend to limit ourselves to a narrow range of motion, relying a lot on certain muscles and not calling on others at all. When we stick to a handful of positions, this puts extra tension on certain muscles and can throw our muscles, bones, and joints out of ideal alignment.
“When our muscles, bones, and joints aren’t in the right place, we have to carry extra tightness in certain areas to accommodate that,” Galliett says. One example is low back tightness.
When our bodies aren’t in the best position to support our skeletal structure—for example, when our head is a little forward or when our rib cage and pelvis are tilted too far forward—the low back can frequently feel extremely tight, according to Galliett. As a result, all of our weight is leaning forward. Since you need to be supported in that position, your low back frequently ends up doing the most of the work rather than your hamstrings, glutes, abdominal muscles, and the rest of your body.
If you spend a lot of time sitting during the day, or even if you don’t, it’s crucial to work on your mobility and flexibility. Many of us prefer to restrict our range of motion even when we are moving around, depending heavily on some muscles and barely using others. Sticking to a small number of postures can cause our muscles, bones, and joints to be out of alignment and place extra strain on certain muscles.
We have to carry extra stiffness in some areas to adjust when our muscles, bones, and joints aren’t in the proper position, according to Galliett. Tightness in the low back is one instance.
The same may occur if you start a full-speed sprint while your legs are still chilly. Dynamic stretches like lunges, squats, or arm or leg circles assist warm up the muscles by beginning to gradually lengthen them. By the end of your warm up, your muscles will be ready to be fully engaged. (Just keep in mind that static stretching should only be done to cool down after a workout because overstretching a muscle that hasn’t been warmed up in a static stretch can put it at a comparable danger to overuse.)
When to stretch
Stretching should always be dynamic before working out, so be sure to do this before each session. Balliett advises that five to ten minutes should be plenty to get you warmed up.
After exercising Slower, more unwinding approaches, such as passive and static stretching, are excellent. These techniques extend the muscles and connective tissues and assist your body in returning to a balanced state (homeostasis), which causes your body’s temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure to return to normal.
If you’ve remained in the same place for a while If you frequently sit or stand in the same position, such as if you work in front of a computer for extended periods of time, have been sitting in a car or on an airplane for a while, or if you work a service job and are on your feet for several hours, stretching periodically throughout the day can help ease muscle tightness.
Try these Stretching Exercises
Balliett suggests the following stretches to focus on various body parts. To target particular muscle groups or for a mild, full-body mobility workout, try performing them all at once.
Stretch your lower back
Put your feet hip-width apart and stand. Put your hands on your knees while bending your knees and hinging forward at the hips. To ensure that your body makes a straight line from the top of your head to the top of your glutes, your pelvis, back, and neck should all be in a neutral position. Reach your left hand toward your right foot while maintaining your neutral posture. This will cause your left knee to budge and your right knee to straighten, allowing you to move your hips. Drive the left hip forward and the right hip back as you actively reach for your foot. Before going back to the beginning position, pause briefly. On the other side, repeat. For 30 to 60 seconds or 4 to 6 repetitions, continue switching sides.
Stretching the piriformis and sciatica
Begin by getting down on your hands and knees and keeping your back straight. To slightly raise your left knee and your left hip, place a book or folded blanket under them. Your hands and knees should be in line with your shoulders and hips, respectively. Your weight should be shifted back and to the left while you gently tuck your pelvis (toward the side with the elevated knee). For 5 to 10 counts, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. On your left side, where your glutes meet the back of your leg, you should notice a slight stretch (the movement is minor). Place the book or blanket beneath your right knee as you stand back up. Repeat.
Stretching the neck of a doll
This passive stretch is excellent for relieving stress and promoting relaxation. With your legs extended and knees slightly bent, sit down on the floor. If this position is uncomfortable, raise yourself up on a pillow or a blanket that has been folded. Your legs should be spread wide and relaxed, with your knees and ankles rolling outward. Your back can be somewhat rounded forward. As you lower your arms to the floor next to you, bring your chin to your chest. Turn your head slowly to the side. Here, unwind and count your breaths from 5 to 10. Next, turn your head to the opposite side and take five to ten deep breaths. You are free to repeat this as often as you wish.
Stretch your hip flexors
Place a pillow or folded blanket beneath your left knee as you begin on your hands and knees with your back parallel to the ground (for cushioning). Your hands and knees should be in line with your shoulders and hips, respectively. Tuck in your pelvis and bring your right foot to the outside of your right hand. Stop here and breathe for 10 seconds if that provides a sufficient stretch (you should be able to feel it in the hip crease of the leg on the pillow). Lift your torso so that a straight line runs from the top of your head to your left knee for a deeper stretch. Before extending both hands forward, make sure your pelvis is still tucked in. Take a deep breath in with your nose, then exhale through your mouth. Breathing slowly for 5 to 10 counts. Then switch sides once more.
Glute Extensor
An illustration of an isometric stretch is this one. Put your feet flat on the ground and sit in a chair. Lift your left leg, place it on top of your right thigh, cross your left ankle over your right knee, and gently draw your left knee in toward you with both hands. Your left glute ought to feel stretched. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds while sitting tall. Then, while resisting the motion with your hands, press your left knee forward. After 5 seconds of pushing, release the pressure. Check to see if you can extend the stretch for an additional 10 to 15 seconds. After 5 more seconds of pushing, hold the stretch for 10 to 15 more. On the opposite side, repeat.
Calf Extend
Another isometric stretch follows. Start by placing your feet hip-width apart in front of a wall and keeping your arms at arm’s length from it. Face the wall with both hands flat. While keeping your right heel flat on the ground, step back with your right foot, bending your left knee as necessary. You should feel a stretch in your back calf and heel as you gently press your upper body into the wall while keeping both feet pointed forward.After 30 seconds of holding, start pressing the rear foot’s ball into the ground like you’re pressing a gas pedal. Gradually increase the pressure until it reaches a 5 or 6 on the intensity scale. After ten seconds of holding that level of intensity, gradually let the foot relax. Check to see if you can extend the stretch for an additional 30 seconds. Once you attain an intensity of 5 or 6, continue to press your foot into the ground for 10 seconds. Final 30 seconds of relaxation and holding the stretch. On the opposite side, repeat.
Hamstring Stretch with Toe Touch
=To begin this dynamic stretch, start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Kick your left leg forward lightly while keeping it straight and extend your opposite hand in its direction. Don’t push yourself to kick your leg as far as you are able to safely control. Keep your torso erect while kicking such that a nearly straight line runs from your head to the foot that is still on the ground. To accomplish an equal number of reps on each side, you can either swap legs or perform 5 to 10 reps on one leg before moving on to the other.
Stretch for IT band tension release
Lay backward far enough from a wall so that your feet may be flat against the surface, roughly hip-width apart. With your thighs parallel to the wall and your shins parallel to the floor, your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle. If you require support, place a yoga block, small cushion, or book between your knees. You may also need to raise your head on a pillow to prevent neck strain. Lay your arms down by your sides on the ground. Do a nose-to-mouth inhalation. Roll your low back to the floor and visualize forcing your heels into the wall as you exhale to tilt your pelvis up and lift your hips off the floor just a little bit. For 30 to 60 seconds, keep driving your heels while inhaling deeply.
