Don't Skip the Stretch!

Skipping your stretch after an intense workout is a mistake. It's the key to bring oxygen and blood flow back to your tired muscles. It helps reduce muscle soreness, increases mobility & flexibility and aids in a quicker recovery period. Not stretching regularly sets you up for injury, poor posture, as well as tight hamstrings and hip rotators.

The best is to use a combination of dynamic and static stretches. Dynamic stretches are when you move your muscle through its complete range of motion. Examples are arm swings or shoulder rolls. These stretches are good to use as a warm-up, as well as immediately following your exercise program. Static stretches, on the other hand, mean you stretch your muscle to its furthest point comfortably and hold it there for 15 to 30 seconds and then release gently. These stretches are best used after exercise. Never stretch to the point of pain or discomfort.

I like to dedicate at least 5-minutes at the end of each workout to stretch all the major muscles we used that day. Just keep in mind that if you have an injured or strained muscle you may need to adjust your stretching technique; and it's best to consult with your doctor about the best way to stretch for your specific condition.