How to get the most out of your exercise? How do you exercise longer and harder but recover quicker and stay energised? It’s simple and often overlooked! The answer is Stretch!
To get the most out of exercise, stretching is imperative. It’s often forgotten as we put all our time and effort into working out. The body deals with everything we throw at it in it’s own way.
Initially this is fine, the body soaks up the stresses we put on it, adapting to new workloads and coping by readjusting and compensating for any niggles and imbalance. Then these little annoyances become chronic and problematic and actually stop us doing our favourite activity. We expect a lot and are often frustrated when the body doesn’t respond the way we expect.
Regular mobility sessions or frequent stretching will help keep the body in the best shape post workout. If you’re putting lots of effort into working out, staying fit and strong you’ll need to put some time into stretching. Lengthening the muscle post workout will improve elasticity, increase circulation by sending blood flow back to the muscles allowing the muscles to re-oxidise using the oxygen in the blood and ultimately reduce muscle soreness and improve suppleness.
Stretching will also slow the release of endorphins produced during and after your workout. You’ll feel energised for longer and you won’t experience the post workout adrenaline crash. In short, stretching reduces stress and boosts your mood.
Yoga offers a perfect base for mobility training with its system of dynamic strengthening and lengthening movements practiced through flow and repetition. Yoga as an exercise recovery tool will stretch tight areas, strengthen weak areas and help the body rebalance post exercise. Practicing regular yoga can have a positive impact on mood, sleep and confidence.
