Mobility and Stretching, do you do enough of it?
Why do you stretch? Why is it so important to stay mobile, especially when it comes to fitness?
I came across an article from the Mayo clinic that did an excellent job explaining the importance of stretching. It started off with saying that stretching will improve your joint range of motion, improve athletic performance and will decrease the risk of injury. Â Sure, you might come across some articles that will say otherwise and in the end it is truly up to you and what you want to believe. Â From a personal stand point I believe that stretching can and will be one of the most important tools as we get stronger and get into fitness. Stretching can have so many benefits, if its in yoga style, dynamic, static and others. Â Each form of stretching that I listed can and will be beneficial for anyone to do.
For example, as we start to workout we get stronger, muscles bellies get bigger, which means limited range of motion if you are not taking care of your mobility as well. Â You see a lot of athletes get injured when they donât take the time to work on mobility especially after putting 10-20 pounds on during an off season. That will also go for an average gym goer as well. Â If you take a full year and get stronger, put on muscle, but donât stretch just as much as you workout, you will have a higher change of getting injured. Â
A few tips to help and that you can find in this article are:
1)Â Â Â Â Â Donât consider stretching a warmup
2)Â Â Â Â Â Strive for symmetry
3)Â Â Â Â Â Focus on major muscle groups
4)Â Â Â Â Â Donât bounce
5)Â Â Â Â Â Hold your stretch
6)Â Â Â Â Â Donât aim for pain
7)Â Â Â Â Â Makes stretches sport specific
8)Â Â Â Â Â Keep up with your stretching
9)Â Â Â Â Â Bring movement into your stretching
 I attached the link below for you guys to follow and read. If you have ever wondered why its so important this article should give you a much better understanding. Â
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931