The Health Nut Blog

Before fitness strength training, one must give importance to doing warm-up or stretching exercises to prevent accidents or to enhance the output during the training.  There are also a number of precautionary measures and tips to serve as guidelines when doing fitness exercises.Here are some of them.

1.  To increase your flexibility and to avoid injuries, stretch before and after a running workout.Almost everyone knows that stretching before workout prevents injuries during the exercises, but only few people know that stretching after workout, when muscles are still warm, can increase flexibility.

2.  Hold your stretching position for more than 60 seconds to increase flexibility.  While holding your position for 20 seconds is enough for warm ups, holding each position for at least 60 seconds will develop the body's flexibility.

3.  Do not go into a stretching position then immediately return to the relaxed position, and do it repeatedly.  This is more appropriately termed as bouncing while in a position.While stretching, it's best to stay in that position for 30 seconds, then slowly retract.  You may do this exercise repeatedly this way.  Bouncing or forcing yourself into a position during stretching can strain or damage some joints or muscles.

4.  Work slowly in increments instead of immediately proceeding to doing the hardest exercise or position.

5.  Make sure that you have stretched or warmed up all muscle groups.The neck always seems to be neglected during a workout.  Stretching the neck muscles can be as simple as placing the palm of one's hand against the front of the head and pushing it.Repeat for the back and sides of the head.

6.  Stretch regularly to continually increase your range of movements and your level of flexibility and strength.

7.  Workout considering only your capabilities and not of others.Don't try to perform an exercise that you know are not capable of starting or finishing just because some others can do it.Slowly increase your limit.Listen to your body.There are days when your body may be too tired that you may have to consider reducing your range of motion.

8.  Learn to rest.  Rest in between sets and stations to make sure that the body has enough time to recover its energy.It's best to not work the same bodypart for two straight days.During rest or sleep is when your muscles grow, not while in the gym working out.

9.  Do aerobic exercises to strengthen your heart.Aerobic exercises are those physical activities that much oxygen for fuel.This will include exercises such as running, rope jumping, or swimming.

10.  To increase intensity for longer periods of time, it could help listening to music.You can use mp3 players, CD players or lightweight am radio receivers for this.Wear a headset so others are not disturbed by music while exercising.

From the obvious reasons of preventing injuries, stretching can also be used as a relaxant for the mind and body.

# posted by NeilG @ 5:12 AM