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.
- Not stretching – BIG NO NO. Not stretching can lead to tight muscles, bad posture, low flexibility.
- After work out stretch ONLY – No bueno. Its good to stretch all the time. Not just after a work out.
- S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G Forever – Recommended to do three sets of 20 secs
- Wake up stretching – morning muscles are stiff. Wait a little.
- Stretching without a warm up – Its very important to warm up as cold muscles are stiff and stretching before can lead to injury.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- Over stretching – Stretching should feel good, you should not hold a stretch until your in pain.
- 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.
- Stretch between lifting sets – This can actually impair your performance
- After exercising you become a member of cirque du soleil – your muscles are tired after working out so performing acrobatic stretches could cause injury
- Stretching if you have muscle strain – Do not do this! Please see a doctor and let your body rest
- 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.
- Bouncing or pulsing – less effective and you may injure yourself
- Not strength-training – Not only should you stretch but strengthening muscles are important too.
- 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!!