Why Stretching Should Be Done First

Stretching is a very important step in bodybuilding prior to doing your training exercises. It may not sound so important though, since for most people though, stretching doesn’t look very appealing and of course, it seems as if that stretching just doesn’t do much good for a person. This is the part of the article where you should really pay attention because whosoever said that stretching isn’t important doesn’t entirely understand the benefits of stretching to the muscles.
For you to understand how vital stretching is in bodybuilding exercises, you also need to know how muscles work. A simple “stretching is important knowledge” isn’t enough to let you understand what’s going on with your muscles and why you need to stretch them. What you need to understand is that when you lift a heavy load, your muscle fibers which are made up of fascicle strands tend to intertwine. But there’s still a possibility for them not to, but for you to be able to carry heavy weights, you’ll need more intertwining fascicle strands. So, when you stretch regularly, the disarrayed fibers in the muscles tend to become organized which leads to easy muscle breakdown and fiber mesh altogether.
Another obvious benefit that a bodybuilder is after is the fact that stretching prevents possible workout injuries and soreness. The last thing that you want to have is an injury due to missing simple stretching routine. It does not only delay your training the schedule you have plotted but it also means you have to catch up with the lost time during recuperation period.
To avoid any of the mentioned mishaps, it is recommended for a bodybuilder to strongly practice stretching before any excruciating bodybuilding exercise. Take note that stretching isn’t just good for preventing you from any possible training injuries but the benefit is really directed to you no matter how you put it. You’ll notice that after a regulated stretching routine, you tend to execute your training exercises without difficulty. Proper ranges of motion are all attained.
Shareen Aguilar is a writer for http://www.body-building-book.com which has information on Bodybuilding and other fitness topics.
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Should You Do Stretching Exercises Before You Work Out?

Everyone needs to make use of some good stretching exercises before they do any other kinds of exercises. Stretching exercises are not something that you need to do just once or twice a week. It is important that you do some great stretching exercises before you exercise each and every time. These stretching exercises will help you to get your muscles warmed up; and ready for anything that you throw at them. With out stretching exercises you are bound to pull some muscles and this can hold you back.
You cannot afford to let your muscles get pulled and torn if you want to get in good shape, that is why it is so vitally important to learn some good stretching exercises.
The stretching exercises that you choose need not be too complex or too fancy, they only need to work. And not all stretching exercises are for everyone. There are different levels to stretching exercises just as there are with any other kind of exercise as well. The stretching exercises that you choose to do each time you work out should suit your exercises and your body.
For example you do not want to try advanced yoga on the first day you have tried yoga. You need to work up to the more advanced levels of stretching exercises. Keep this in mind and start with simple and easy stretches. This is the best way to stay in good shape all throughout your body. Remember that if you hurt yourself doing your stretching exercises you will not be able to do your regular exercises, you will be in too much pain. Even missing a few days can really throw off your stride when it comes to your exercise routines.
There are many books out there for you to read that will help you to find the best stretching exercises for your body type and fitness level. If you cannot afford to go out and buy a bunch of these expensive books then consider checking them out at your local library. There you will find all kinds of fantastic stretching exercises and they will not cost you anything, they are all free.
You can also find all kinds of great stretching exercises online. These will be everything that you need in order to start up a good stretching routine. These will keep you in tip top shape all year long and looking your absolute best. There are hundreds of websites on the internet that will be able to supply you with many different stretching exercises. These are the stretching exercises that you need to get your hands on. It is also these stretching exercises that will change your entire life. If your exercise routine needs a little pick me up then you can use these stretching exercises in order to give yours just that.
Free Fitness and Exercise Tips http://free-fitness-exercise-tips.com - lots of information to keep you fit, healthy and help you to get regular exercise.
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Does Stretching Prevent Exercise Injuries?

People often ask me if I think that stretching can prevent exercise injuries. There are no current studies that prove that stretching prevents injuries during exercise. That being said, stretching as part of a sensible warm up will allow a body to more safely perform many motions to their fullest extent with less chance of injuries from over extending. The problem that many of us have when we exercise is that we allow our body to go beyond its normal limits. This is often when injuries take place. By sensibly stretching our muscles before we exercise, we allow the body to perform beyond those normal limits.
As someone who has over 4 decades of experience practicing the martial arts, 3 decades of long distance running, swimming, and biking, and an advanced degree in exercise physiology, I feel comfortable in saying that my personal experience indicates that sensible stretching makes sense as part of a warm up routine for any kind of exercising. Just make sure that the stretching you do is slow and sustained rather than the bouncing type. Bouncing while you try to stretch actually causes muscles to shorten rather than stretch because of a protective mechanism that is built into each muscle. ©2005 Thomas D. Manfredi, MS
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Online fitness coach Tom Manfredi is the creator of the site fitness-after-50.com. He has a master's degree in exercise physiology and over 20 years of practical exercise experience. This site is designed with the mature adult in mind. Learn more by going to fitness-after-50.com.
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5 Reasons Why We Should Stretch As We Get Older

There is some controversy over the benefits of stretching to prevent exercise injuries. That point aside, there are a number of benefits that make stretching worth considering as a part of your overall physical fitness routine, especially as we age. Here are some of them:
When we are stressed, one thing that happens is that our muscles become tense. Stretching can help relax tense muscles.
As we age, balance can become an issue in our everyday routines. Since stretching improves the range of motion of your joints, it can help you to be more mobile and less prone to injuries from falls.
Stretching can increase your flexibility, which can help you to perform daily tasks more easily.
Since stretching helps increase blood flow, it can improve your circulation.
And, the controversial one, stretching may help prevent injury. This is especially true as we age and our muscles and joints often become tighter. A little stretching helps to improve our range of motion, which may keep us from being injured by pulling a muscle.
And what are some of the rules of stretching?
Warm up first. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.
If you can't hold it that long initially, work your way up to it.
Don't bounce.
Relax and don't hold your breath while you stretch.
Stretching has enough benefits that you should consider making it a part of your daily routine, even on days when you're not planing on exercising. Do it for 10 to 15 minutes every day and you will start to feel the benefits in a very short time.
Online fitness coach Tom Manfredi is the creator of the site fitness-after-50.com. He has a master's degree in exercise physiology and over 20 years of practical exercise experience.
This site is designed with the mature adult in mind. Learn more by going to fitness-after-50.com
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Do You Know Importance Of Stretching Exercises?

Although stretching exercises were ignored for many years in sport, Post-Exercise Stretching is now an accepted part of the training routine. Its purpose is not the same as the stretching exercises carried out when limbering up. Post-exercise stretching is part of the dynamic phase of the work when warming up, whereas post-exercise stretching is carried out after the effort as such - intensive training or competition - to "cool down" the muscular system, in the recuperation phase; and after the competition or training so that the muscles recover their initial elasticity, in order to avoid permanent tension on the tendons.
Stretching exercises are designed to relax the muscles and prevent soreness. In animals, stretching is instinctive. Through civilization, man has lost this instinct. In the martial arts, this gymnastic exercise was developed many years ago.
Stretching should not be considered as a relaxation activity.
Stretching is not an activity in its own right and is therefore part of all physical exercises. A muscle which works shortens. With Stretching a muscle regains its original length and its contraction speed.
When Is Stretching Required:
It is best not to do too much stretching before training or a competition. Cardiovascular warming up and loosening up all the joints in the body is sufficient before the workout as such. After training or the competition, a good Stretching session is welcome. It should not be confused, however, with relaxation which can be carried out in an isolated place, in a comfortable position, in peace and quiet.
Every day, walking affects some muscles of your legs. Permanently working these muscles shortens them, hence the need to stretch them to prevent pinching in the lumbar spine resulting in sciatica.
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