Many of you have been exercising regularly every week and might be experiencing stiffness and soreness because of that. Stretching is extremely important for before and after a workout; it can help to prepare your body to workout and also help your body recover after working out. There are two different types of stretching that I would like to tell you about. Dynamic flexibility is often used before an exercise as a warm up to stimulate your nervous system and muscles to get your body prepared for the workout. Dynamic stretching means moving your muscles and joints repetitively within your range of motion. An example of dynamic stretching could be leg and hip swings in different directions or standing torso and shoulder twists. Dynamic stretching should be performed before working out; it has been known for improving strength and power. Static stretching involves stretching specific muscle groups for 20 to 30 seconds to enhance relaxation. Static stretching should be performed after a workout.

You should always be very cautious when stretching and take your time with it. Stretching too quickly and too far can cause your muscle fibers to contract and shorten flexibility; it can also cause your own joints and muscles to tear. Overall, stretching is important for your body. If done right, there are a lot of benefits to stretching that can significantly help your health.

During a hard workout, your muscles can feel stiff and sore, stretching can help increase blood flow to get oxygen to your muscles and alleviate this pain. Some of you may be aware of the term “lactic acid”, which your body produces to make your muscles feel tired and sore, stretching helps eliminate the lactic acid. Walking on the treadmill after running can also help decrease lactic acid. The most common side effect from working out is lower back pain, but if you stretch your hamstrings and hip flexor muscles, it will significantly reduce that pain. Stretching can also help eliminate the feel of tension and anxiety. However, the two biggest benefits of stretching is flexibility and to reduce the risk of injury. Increased flexibility will happen as you continue to stretch, which will enable you to exercise more effectively. Finally, by improving your range of motion it decreases the resistance in your muscles which reduces the risk of injury and has you better prepared to exercise. To learn more about the benefits to stretching visit Health Line.