Do’s
– Warm up before completing your stretches, its always harder to stretch cold muscles
– Hold stretches for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times
– Stretch regularly during the day and in particular after exercise sessions
– Stretch only to the point of strain not pain
– Applying heat (if appropriate) prior to stretching can help to make your stretches more comfortable and effective
– Try to relax when your stretching, obviously the more tense you are the tighter your muscles will feel
Don’ts
– Don’t overstretch to the point of pain
– Don’t bounce stretches
– Don’t lock out your joints
Remember that increasing your flexibility will take time, so be patient!
Written by Nick Lagos
