Stretching… You’re Doing It Wrong!

Stretching...You're Doing It Wrong!
Stretching…You’re Doing It Wrong!

Unless you are her…




You’re probably not stretching incorrectly. Cosmo did a great piece on the ways we’re stretching wrong and what we should be doing.

  1. Not stretching – BIG NO NO. Not stretching can lead to tight muscles, bad posture, low flexibility.
  2. After work out stretch ONLY – No bueno. Its good to stretch all the time. Not just after a work out.
  3. S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G Forever – Recommended to do three sets of 20 secs
  4. Wake up stretching – morning muscles are stiff. Wait a little.
  5. Stretching without a warm up – Its very important to warm up as cold muscles are stiff and stretching before can lead to injury.
  6. Forgetting hip flexors – tight hip muscles cause your pelvis to tilt forward, causing pain and having your stomach and butt stick out. (look at picture for example of this stretch)
  7. Only stretch arms and legs – ALL body parts should be stretched. Think of it this way, when you wash your body you don’t just wash your knees you make to clean everywhere.
  8. Not having a dedicated stretch day – If you find yourself working out a lot but not making time for a stretch day, this could be an issue. Map out a day where you stretch.
  9. Over stretching – Stretching should feel good, you should not hold a stretch until your in pain.
  10. Using a foam-roll as a replacement instead of stretching – this will not improve flexibility. Make sure to add stretching along side the foam rolling.
  11. Stretch between lifting sets – This can actually impair your performance
  12. After exercising you become a member of cirque du soleil – your muscles are tired after working out so performing acrobatic stretches could cause injury
  13. Stretching if you have muscle strain – Do not do this! Please see a doctor and let your body rest
  14. Stretching on your bed or hardwood floor – I am so guilt of this. Apparently your bed is too soft (meh what do they know. lol) and hardwood is too hard. Use a mat or carpet.
  15. Bouncing or pulsing – less effective and you may injure yourself
  16. Not strength-training – Not only should you stretch but strengthening muscles are important too.
  17. Stretching before jogging – Another thing I usually do. Apparently this does not help.

Source – http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a52664/ways-youre-stretching-wrong/

Happy Stretching!!

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