Striving 4 Wellness

"Flexibility Stretching Alleviates Stiff Joints and Tight Muscles"

Flexibility stretching plays an important part in the overall fitness regime. Neck and back pain results from tight muscles causing muscular imbalance and poor posture in the body. Tight muscles can be loosened, joint flexibility and posture improved by including flexibility stretching in your exercise and fitness program.

Lots of people have a wide range of muscle and joint problems which can be corrected with flexibility stretching. It is never too late to get fit and flexibility stretching can benefit anyone irrespective of age or physical condition. If you are older, take care and have a medical checkup before beginning your stretching exercises.

Muscles are important in that they provide shape to our skeletal frame. Muscles support, protect and permit movement in the body. Muscles around the heart work continuously to keep the heart pumping. So the fitter we become through exercising, the more efficiently our heart is able to work. Muscles will shorten, resulting in muscle stiffness if we don't stretch regularly. The result of shortened and weakened muscles is long-term poor posture.

When a muscle contracts, it moves a joint. Our deep back muscles contract at a low grade and these back muscles need stretching regularly as they tend to tighten. When we age, muscles that support us in standing, sitting and lying tend to tighten, while more active muscles used when we are in motion tend to weaken and lose tone. So, muscles of the calves, hamstrings, back extensors, hip flexor and pectorals in the upper limb will tighten. Quadriceps, abdominals and tibialis anterior will weaken and lose tone. Also, the way in which we stand (posture) will determine how our muscles are used. If these are not used properly, they may not have the tone they should.

Unfortunately, all our muscles lose tone as we age. Supportive connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles loses elasticity. This process usually becomes noticeable after the age of thirty. Gravity causes muscles to sag. Also, with age, muscles if not used regularly will accumulate fat. This generally occurs in the abdominal and thigh areas. Once you start developing toned muscles with flexibility stretching, you will start to lose weight as muscle burns more calories than fat.

In later years, improving flexibility becomes more difficult. The stiffness that occurs with age is contributed to physiological changes in connective tissue. So the earlier and more we do flexibility stretching, the more chance we have of reducing stiffness and tightness in our joints and becoming less flexible as we age. Do not worry that muscle toning workouts will lead to arthritic joints of your knees and back. Muscle toning improves circulation throughout the body and improves nutrition to the joints.

The most effective way to keep your body and muscles fit is to improve your cardiovascular endurance. Aerobic workouts such as jogging, walking, rebounding, swimming, dance classes along with flexibility stretching increase oxygen intake and therefore increase the efficiency of the cardiovascular system.

Flexibility stretching can tone all parts of your body. You can stretch your neck, shoulders and chest. You can stretch your arms, upper and mid-back. You can stretch your lower back to increase spine mobility. You can do hip stretches, buttock and abdominal strengthening . You can stretch your inner thighs, quadriceps, hip flexor, hamstrings, calves and ankles. These flexibility stretching exercises will condition your whole body.

Stretch toning can be done in the comfort of your home or stretch classes could be available at your local gym. "The Stretching Handbook" guides you as to how flexibility stretching Makes You Stronger, Faster and More Agile with just a Few Easy Stretches!

Flexibility stretching exercises make your joints more flexible allowing them to move through a greater range. Regular stretching may prevent or alleviate pain associated with tightened muscles. Stretching improves blood supply to the muscles and decreases the muscle-tightening effect occurring with age. As well as relaxing your muscles, you will feel less tired at the end of the day.

Hopefully you understand your body a little better by now. Persevere with your flexibility stretching exercises and the routine will become easier and part of your daily life. As you become fitter, you will have more energy throughout your day. Exercising aerobically for 15-20 minutes three times per week and doing your daily stretching will quickly tone your muscles, improve your flexibility and posture. But best of all, you will feel more positive about yourself.

Without doubt, everyone wishes to lead a happy, active and pain-free life. So, if you are not working out now, why not begin your fitness program with flexibility stretching.