How Stretching and Flexibility Can Improve Your Gym Performance
Hey Angels and Alphas,
Keeping your body flexible and limber while you’re at the gym will help improve your performance in many ways, such as improving your balance and overall form when lifting weights or increasing the ease with which you can get into various positions when doing cardio exercise.
Stretching before you go to the gym will allow you to perform at your best, and help reduce the risk of injury or muscle soreness afterward. For tips on how to properly stretch before and after exercising, check out this helpful guide on how stretching and flexibility can improve your gym performance.
Static Stretching
When you think of stretching, you might picture someone sitting with their legs crossed, reaching for their toes. This is called static stretching, and it’s the most common type. It’s important to do static stretches before a workout to help improve your range of motion and prevent injuries. But don’t stop there! To get the most out of your gym session, follow up by doing dynamic stretches like lunges or walking heel-to-toe in circles.
Dynamic Stretching
When it comes to stretching, there are two main types: static and dynamic. Static stretching is when you hold a position for an extended period of time, while dynamic stretching is when you move through a range of motion repeatedly. Both types of stretching have their benefits, but dynamic stretching is often thought to be better for improving performance in the gym.
One study found that people who did dynamic stretches had greater muscle power than those who did only static stretches. Another study found that women who did dynamic stretches experienced increased power, decreased body fat percentage, and improved muscle endurance. Dynamic stretching has also been shown to increase speed, agility, coordination, reaction time, balance, as well as sprinting ability.
How does flexibility impact your strength and endurance?
When you work out, your muscles contract and shorten. This is especially true when lifting weights, where your muscles are working against gravity. Over time, your muscles can become tight and less flexible. This can lead to reduced range of motion, which can make it harder to workout effectively.
Will a proper stretching routine help you lift more?
When it comes to working out, we often focus on the physical aspect of things like how much weight we can lift or how fast we can run. But what about our flexibility?
Being flexible can actually help you in your lifting endeavors. When you stretch before working out, you’re preparing your muscles for the activity to come and making them more pliable. This can lead to improved range of motion and better lifting form, both of which can result in you being able to lift more weight.
When you work out, your muscles are contracting and expanding, which can lead to micro-tears in the muscle fibers. This is why it’s important to warm up before working out, so your muscles are loose and less likely to be injured. Stretching helps elongate the muscles, which can prevent micro-tears from happening in the first place. Plus, when your muscles are more flexible, you’ll be able to move through a greater range of motion, which can help you perform better during your workout.
Will a proper stretching routine help your endurance?
When you think of cardiovascular endurance, you probably think of activities like running or biking. But did you know that stretching can also help improve your endurance?
That’s because when your muscles are more flexible, they don’t have to work as hard to perform the same movements. This means that you can sustain activity for longer periods of time without tiring out as quickly. So if you’re looking to improve your endurance, don’t forget to add some stretching to your routine.
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