Personal Trainer West Bloomfield tips on Stretching

Stretching is just as important as exercising daily.  Here are some reasons to add it to your daily routine:

1. Decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of motion. 
   The less you move the stiffer your muscles become.
2. May reduce your risk of injury. The more flexible your muscles are, the less likely you are to tear or injure them.
3. Helps relieve post-exercise aches and pains. Here I would like to point out that it is best to do stretching after your workout when the muscles are warm.
   
4. Improves posture. Particularly stretching the shoulder and back muscles.
   
5. Helps reduce or manage stress. When we are stressed are muscles tend to tighten up, so a good stretch can help reduce that tension.
6. Promotes circulation. Stretching increases blood supply to the muscles and joints which allow for improved circulation of blood throughout the entire body.
7. Decreases the risk of low-back pain. Flexibility in the hamstrings, hipflexors and muscles attached to the pelvis relieves stress on the lumbar spine which in turn reduces the risk of low-back pain.

My favorite piece of equipment to assist you in stretching is this: