If you're anything like us, once you've finished your workout in the gym, you can't wait to get home. One common mistake people tend to make is leaving the gym before completing some post-workout stretching. No matter what you do, it's important that you spend a couple of minutes stretching out the muscles you've just worked.
It's essential to stretch after a high intensity workout as it helps increase flexibility and reduces muscle tension. It also helps with muscle recovery and repair, which is a winner! Last week we talked you through '7 alternative sport ideas to give a go', this week we're going to break down the benefits of post-workout stretching and hopefully give you an insight into its importance.
Bend It Like Beckham
Quite possibly the most important benefit of post-workout stretching: increased flexibility! We can assure you, David didn't leave the pitch before doing some hamstring extensions. Flexibility helps to reduce your muscle tension, which in the long term, helps to prevent injury. With consistent stretching, you'll find it easier to bend, stand and squat, which is sure to help strengthen your workout routine overall.
Strengthen Your Internal Circuit
If you've pushed yourself to your limits, your body will no doubt pump blood faster to your heart, which in turn makes it beat at a more rapid rate. Stretching helps to slow your heart rate down to its normal pace, helping to cool you down and stabilise blood circulation.
Eliminates Lactic Acid
As soon as you start any workout, your body starts producing lactic acid. Lactic acid actually makes muscles fatigued and sore, so it's definitely something you don't want lingering about. Stretching helps to eliminate the lactic acid that has gathered in your muscles, as well as helping your muscles to relax.
The benefits for post-workout stretching go on and on. We’ve selected a few, however let us know why you think its important to stretch by tweeting us @Mankindcouk!
