16 January 15  |  Fitness   |  

Stretching Your Way to Fitness

WRITTEN BY JEFFREY T SPAETH, L.M.T, C.P.T.

According to the College of Sports Medicine, stretching is recommended “at least 60 seconds, for each major muscle group, at least two times a week.” Stretching helps you stay flexible and is especially helpful in your hips and hamstrings.

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It is recommended to stretch your muscles at least 2 times a week.

Types of Stretches

A static stretch is when you hold a stretch for a longer period of time. When static stretching, be careful not to over stretch until it hurts. The other type of stretch is a dynamic stretch. This is when you stretch the muscle through its entire range of motion. If you sit at a desk all day at work, it’s good to stand up and stretch in the opposite directions at least a few minutes every hour. This will help keep the blood flowing through your body.

Stretching When Working Out

Experts believe that the best time to stretch your muscles is after working out. This is because the muscles are warmed up. Something to know when stretching is you shouldn’t bounce when you hold your stretch because it could lead to injury. You should stretch in a slow controlled motion for the best results.

I teach a Dynamic stretch class here at Golden Ocala, which focuses on stretching specific muscle groups. Come join us on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 am to 12 pm. Lets stay healthy together in the New Year and let stretching be a big part of it! For more health and exercise tips visit our fitness blog.