The Athlete and Stretching

The benefits of stretching are certainly numerous, and stretching-related exercise systems are becoming more and more popular, yoga or pilates for example. Stretching helps keep the muscles healthy, helps your recover from your workout, and helps to shape lean muscles. But keep in mind that stretching is not the warm up to a workout for an athlete. You should start with a few minutes of light activity, walking, cycling, etc. before you stretch. This is because stretching cold muscles can cause injuries. If you are planning on weight-lifting, use some stretching for warm-up, but save strenuous stretching and flexibility routines for the end of your workout, as some research shows that a lot of stretching can cause a short-term dip in muscle strength. Flexibility will contribute to your overall athleticism, and the health, as well as the appearance, of the muscles you are training. Just keep in mind the appropriate way to use it to avoid injury.