Most people live in their busy and ever-changing time schedules, and often find it hard to exercise and keep fit. However, whether you decide to work out at home or hit the gym, it is important to prepare your body for workouts by stretching.
Most people assume that only gymnasts or runners should stretch. Well, that is not true.
So, why is stretching important before exercise?
Ideally, we all need to stretch before a workout.
In addition, stretching should be done regularly.
Stretching is critical to any athletic performance and overall health.
Stretching is easy to do but should be done correctly to avoid doing more harm than good.
Correct stretching improves your general health and helps you improve your workout.
Why is Stretching Important Before Exercise?
Stretching is important before exercise because it activates the inactive muscles and joint capsules and prepares them for vigorous workouts. Stretching serves as a crucial link between a sedentary and an active body.
It awakens your muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, and tendons, which loosens your body ready for exercise and improves your range of motion (ROM). Stretching also raises the body’s core temperature and enhances blood circulation. This ensures tissues have adequate oxygen which provides the body with enough energy for intense exercises.
Why Is Stretching Important?
Generally, stretching provides numerous health and fitness benefits. Stretching keeps the muscles strong, flexible for optimum usage, and in good health.
Stretching is a fundamental part of each person’s life, particularly when working.
Flexibility, bendiness and elasticity are also among the most important components of fitness. Stretching prevents injuries, promotes blood circulation in the body, and prepares our bodies for home or gym workouts.
Moreover, stretching prevents chronic inflammation, which could cause potential damage. For instance, sitting in a chair for a prolonged period or throughout the day could result in tight hamstrings on the thighs, making stretching your leg or knee hard. It can also inhibit walking.
To prevent such occurrences, stretching should be a daily routine, whether or not you are exercising. Stretching your thighs keeps the back muscles of the thigh flexible and prevents chronic inflammation that may be a silent killer and contribute to cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.
Top 7 Reasons Why Stretching is Important Before An Exercise
#1 Lowers muscle tension and prepares your body for a workout
Stretching before an exercise prepares your muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and other body tissues.
Stretching before an exercise allows the muscles and tissues to loosen and be resistant to the impact caused by strenuous exercises.
Stretching lowers the chances of injuries when working out. The pre-workout exercises also increase the body temperature and stimulate higher blood circulation in the body. This ensures that the tissues have enough blood flow and adequate oxygen and prepares them for strenuous activities.
#2 Stretching before an exercise gives you better workout energy and overall performance
While stretching before a workout prepares your body by increasing mobility, it helps you quickly reach your desired workout intensity. This is because your body and muscles are prepared to start a workout when already warmed up.
Stretching allows the muscles to be flexible and loose; hence they can resist the impact they are about to experience.
Having a personalized stretching routine, while addressing the specific areas of postural disproportion and tightness helps one improve their range of movement.
Also, when stretching is combined with strength training and aerobic workout, one is guaranteed to function more efficiently during the workout and have great speed, stamina, and power.
#3 Stretching before an exercise helps one manage or lower stress
Proper stretching before an exercise helps your muscles and tissues hold less tension; hence the body feels less stressed.
Particularly, stretching combined with mindful exercises and deep breathing is an excellent way to ease stress and lower the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Even when not exercising, try stretching before you get your day started. It makes a great difference throughout the day.
#4 Prevents Muscle Injuries and Strains
A strong and pre-stretched muscle resists better than an unstretched muscle. The more flexible one is, the less likely the chances of sustaining injuries from strenuous or excessive movements.
Stretching increases the range of motion and lowers the resistance of the muscles when doing the workouts.
Studies show that stretching before an exercise lowers the chances of muscles strains, joint damages, ligament sprains, among other harmful and painful injuries common to athletes and sports.
However, it is important to note that stretching alone is unnecessary to prevent injuries and muscle strains. Keeping safe while exercising is vital during the gym or home workouts.
#5 Stretching before an exercise to increase the range of motion
Stretching is the right way to loosen your tendons and muscles. It increases the range of motion during an exercise. Also, it helps slow down the degeneration of muscles, tissues, and joints.
Stretching makes the joints flexible, requiring less energy for a greater range of motion. It makes exercising and overall movement more efficient.
#6 Promotes Circulation
Stretching increases the blood supply to joints, tissues, muscles, and the entire body. It allows for more oxygenated blood transport to the body organs essential for better workout performance.
This lowers the chances of body organs lacking enough oxygenated blood, leading to fatigue and failure.
#7 Feels Great
Stretching before an exercise signals the body that it’s about to have rigorous exercises. It signals the muscles that they are about to get to work. Therefore, the body is prepared for the exercises and feels relaxed.
Basic Techniques of Stretching Before An Exercise
Although stretching before an exercise is important for the mentioned reasons, it is good to learn the basic stretching techniques to ensure you stretch correctly.
- Do not stretch too far in the beginning. Do a slight stretch and increase the intensity as you feel relaxed. It ensures your muscles are not hurt before your exercises.
- Stretch while in a comfortable position, and subside the stretch tension as you hold.
- Take deep and slow breaths, and naturally, as you breathe out and curve forward.
- Avoid bouncing. Bouncing tightens the tissues and muscles that really need to be properly stretched.
- Learning to stretch right and flexibility will follow with time. Avoid forceful stretches since that could lead to tissue strains and muscle injuries.
Final Thoughts on Why Is Stretching Important Before Exercise
Stretching before an exercise is important for the general body performance and improves overall health. Stretching is significant not only before an exercise but also on a daily workout routine. This is why we discuss the question … Why is stretching important before exercise?
Stretching keeps your muscles loose and lowers the chances of tissue tightening and shortening that often happens after a workout.
In addition, the blood flow increases, and allows for muscles and joints to improve circulation throughout the whole body.
