The Importance of Flexibility in Fitness Training

Before I begin, allow me to stress the importance flexibility holds in personal physical fitness, in both young AND aged fitness enthusiests. Contrary to popular understanding, individuals of all ages benefit heavily from the increased range of motion along with the decreased energy expenditure, allowed by the joints through the involvement of daily stretching routines.

Flexibility is specifically noted as the allowed range of motion at any given joint throughout the skeletal and muscular structures. Along with the noticeable increase in physical performance, high flexibility also increases the blood flow and nutrient supply to the muscles during sustained physical activity. There exists no reasoning to why flexibility training should not be incorporated into a fitness routine, when faced with the many benefits involved with its regular practice.

Below are several important stretches to be routinely practiced FOLLOWING sustained exercise:

Quadricep Stretch: The routine quadriceps stretch is often noted in standard stretching routines, and is important following cardio or leg weight training exercise. The involvement is usually noted through the following image:

Hamstring stretch:

Priming only the quadriceps when stretching can be dangerous for its counterpart, the hamstring. Make sure the stretch both muscles in your routine. The hamstring stretch is easy to follow, noting the image below:

Calf Stretch:

In order to decrease muscle spasms and the common “Charlie horse”, remember to stretch and extend the calf muscles in order to loosen the tightly wound structure noted after intense physical activity. The image below displays a common routine used to reduce the tightness commonly noted in the calves.

Lower Back Stretch:

Beyond stretching the leg muscles, remember to loosen the back muscles, preventing future pain resulting from tightness and inflexible lower back muscles. Note the Image below:

Flexibility remains an important part of each fitness routine, and requires regular practice in order to allow the benefits noted by those who continually incorporate its involvement into each fitness routine. Without a proper daily stretching routine, the susceptibility to injury and discomfort rises significantly, adding to the importance of its habitual involvement.