S T R E T C H.

MOBILITY MONDAYS: 🤸🏻‍♀️

DON’T NEGLECT THE STRETCH

THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD OL’ STRETCH FOR GYM BUNNIES, WEIGHTLIFTERS & CROSSFITTERS.

With our strength training it’s vital not to neglect the importance of stretching. Often this part of the workout is shunned, overlooked, not recognised or we think a quick hammy and lat stretch will do the job and off we go.. STOP ✋

This is where injury occurs. It is also not going to get you the best results from all the effort you put into your workouts as your muscles are not prepared so can not physically reach their potential in the movements you are making during your workout.

PRE WORK OUT: stretching before your workout warms your muscles, loosens the fascia and limbers your joints & tendons for better use of your whole body. Basically lubricating your body internally. Stretching pre-workout also starts to raise your heart rate, a bit like revving your engine before a long drive, pumping the blood which carries vital oxygen to your cells - you muscles need that oxygen to perform.

POST WORKOUT: don’t be in a rush to finish your workout and get on with your day. When we perform strength work (especially using weights) we are tearing the muscles, little tears that repair themselves is how we build muscle. To ensure we gain strength AND mobility we need to stretch out after our our work outs to lengthen our muscles for repair.

Remember, there is no point being able to deadlift 120kg if you can’t bend over and tie your shoelaces.

So, take the time to stretch out every part of your body, use this time to calm the body and the mind, feel how your body is feeling and BREATHE.

Stretching before & after is as much a part of your workout as the ‘workout’.

Hold your stretches for 10 rounds of breath each side (1 round = deep inhale / long exhale). Move through your body to really seal in all the benefits of your workout.💪🏻

#mobilitymonday