Stretching

Stretching is an important part of your workout. It contributes to your warm up routine, and reduces your risk of injury (especially of muscle-related injury like strains and pulls). Stretching also contributes to your flexibility, which may benefit your sport (especially for sports such as gymnastics or figure skating which require flexibility and activities like dancing). Improved flexibility can even help prevent injury. NFL Star Eddie George once even credited yoga with keeping him healthy.

Stretching and Flexibility based workouts such as yoga or pilates are popular for a reason. Not only is stretching good for your body and helps prevent injury, but these routines are also helpful in balance, posture, concentration, and weight loss. Yoga especially has many mental health benefits as well.

Here are some stretching tips for you to incorporate into your next workout.
-Stretching does not have to be the first part of your workout-especially if your goal is to improve your flexibility. Stretching after a workout actually helps your muscles to recover and helps prevent soreness. It is even recommended that you stretch between a low-impact warm-up routine (like walking or cycling) and starting your workout. Even stretching cold can risk a muscle injury. If you are stretching to improve your flexibility, try to warm up before you begin intensive stretching.
-Stretching is great for your posture. Americans have notoriously bad posture, including rounded shoulders and slouching backs. This poor posture can lead to strain. Stretching your shoulders, neck, and back can benefit your posture. You may also want to try some exercises to strengthen these trouble areas.
-Simple stretching of the feet and ankles can help relieve symptoms of plantar fascitis, as well as strengthen your feet against future injury.
-Try using a towel or stretching band to help you get that extra stretch, or stretch with a partner.
-Stretching is an inexpensive (even free!) addition to your workout and can be done at home with little time commitment.