Stretching is great for every fitness enthusiast, but it needs to be done correctly in order to see tangible mobility improvements!
A lot of people consider stretching to be a part of their quick warm-up routines that they do prior to more intense workouts, but the truth is that stretching is so much more than something that you should do while warming up or cooling down while exercising.
The right stability and mobility exercises can provide fitness enthusiasts with all sorts of essential benefits, so it’s important to ask yourself: is your stretching actually improving your mobility?
What Are The Common Benefits Associated With Stretching?
Although it’s perfectly safe to say that stretching is a very relaxing activity that blends in well before and after workout sessions, there are many different advantages associated with stretching.
Some of these common benefits include:
- Improving your athletic performance and workout efficiency
- Decreasing your likelihood of incurring an injury
- Helping your muscles recover and heal
Correct, consistent stretching also offers many benefits when it comes to improving your overall mobility and flexibility!
What Exactly is Mobility?
Although workout terms like “mobility” and “flexibility” are often considered to be interchangeable, they’re actually very different from one another.
Flexibility refers to the ability of your body’s connective tissue to elongate, and mobility refers to your overall range of muscular motion. Mobility also involves your general ability to move your muscles within your personal range of motion.
It’s often helpful to consider flexibility as just one piece of the puzzle that comprises mobility, which includes other pieces like strength and coordination. So, flexibility tends to be a more passive workout term, whereas mobility tends to be more active.
What Hinders Mobility?
There are certain things that athletes and workout enthusiasts should keep in mind when it comes to how mobility can be hindered. Doing certain things like only stretching after working out or only doing static stretches can potentially hinder overall mobility improvements.
Static stretches involve no movement and can do wonders for improving your flexibility, but they aren’t quite as helpful for improving your mobility. And only stretching after you’re done working out doesn’t give you the chance to take full advantage of your body’s conditioning and general range of motion.
Improve Your Mobility Through Dynamic Stretches & The SAID Principle
The SAID principle stands for:
- Specific
- Adaptations (to)
- Imposed
- Demands
Adopting this principle into your workout routine can make dramatic improvements toward the overall effectiveness of your stretching, because it’ll train your body to adapt to more strenuous, new mobility demands.
Dynamic stretching involves movement, which also trains your body to improve upon its current range of motion.
Tips For Safely Improving Your Mobility Via Stretching
It’s important to remember that incorrect techniques can cause injury, regardless of whether you’re doing static or dynamic stretches. But the good news is that the Rising Legends staff is here to help you improve your stretching techniques, as well as your overall mobility.
Here are some tips to safely improve your mobility through dynamic stretching:
- Do low-intensity exercises like biking or walking for 5-10 minutes while warming up for your workouts.
- Focus on major muscle groups like your calves, thighs, lower back and shoulders.
- Concentrate on your body’s symmetry by stretching and having an equal amount of flexibility on both your left and right sides.
- Don’t be tense or hold your breath while stretching.
- Hold your stretches for 30-60 seconds at a time, and don’t bounce your stretches.
- Develop consistency by thoroughly stretching at least 3-4 times per week.
The Rising Legends Team Is Here To Help You Improve Your Stretching & Mobility!
The Rising Legends Academy of Fitness is one of the leading fitness facilities based in Valley Cottage, NY, and our team of personal trainers is here to help you improve your stretching routine so that it points you in the right direction toward tangible workout results.
We look forward to seeing you in the gym and helping you improve your mobility!