The Importance of Doing Stretching Exercises

Whether you are an elite or amateur athlete, you undoubtedly know the importance of stretching. It is an essential part of any sports routine. In this article, we will discuss the importance of stretching and how this simple yet effective exercise benefits our muscular health.

But let’s not think only about athletes, football players, or professional gymnasts. While it is true that we take for granted that stretching is part of any sports discipline, whether before or after each training session, this exercise should be considered in the daily routine of anyone.
Many physiotherapists who use pressotherapy recommend practicing stretching regularly to maintain good muscle tone. Doing stretches daily is something you can do in just a few minutes, and by being consistent, it’s something your body will thank you for your whole life.

Why are good stretches recommended?

Stretching provides flexibility to your muscles. We must not forget that our entire body functions like an organic machine made up of multiple interconnected “parts.” And like any machine, it needs maintenance. When we go a long time without exercising our muscles, they become tense and shortened.

In the medium or long term, a body that is not minimally exercised ends up feeling unwell, with sharp pains in the legs, arms, back… And that is probably the distress signal your body is sending. A sign that it needs movement, and it needs it now. Simple actions like climbing stairs or raising your arms to hang clothes may feel like a nearly titanic effort.

And you don’t have to be elderly to feel this way. In fact, there are people well into their senior years who still show enviable vigor and flexibility. Generally, these people practice at least some exercise even at an advanced age. Many have been athletes their whole lives. So it doesn’t matter if you are young if you are out of shape. You will look and feel in a way that doesn’t match your age.

Let’s also not forget the strain many jobs or professions place on the muscles. Being on your feet all day or sitting all day, moving little or almost nothing, ends up causing significant muscle damage.
Muscles subjected to so much tension over an extended period will respond painfully to the challenge of physical activity that suddenly demands strength, flexibility, and agility. We can easily suffer muscle or joint injuries. Some companies include a short break in their work routine for employees to do brief stretches.

This is another small incentive very well received by the staff. Fun, healthy, and very necessary to break, even if only momentarily, the work routine. Therefore, good stretches will help you maintain long, toned, and flexible muscles. Like chewing gum. If you stop stretching it, it dries out and hardens, right? Let that be a metaphor for your muscles.

The importance of maintaining a stretching routine

Whether in the morning before going to work, mid-shift, when you get home in the afternoon, or even before going to bed, stretching is more than healthy. Considering that just a few minutes are enough, plan your schedule well to dedicate that minimum time your body needs and will thank you for at the end of the day.

But don’t obsess either. If one day you forget your stretching exercises or you were in such a hurry that you couldn’t dedicate even a minute, the world won’t end. As long as you maintain a stretching routine about 3-4 times a week, your body will already thank you greatly. And a few minutes can be enough. Just don’t forget any part of your body. Muscles are everywhere. The lower limbs are important, both the lower and upper parts, but also the hip flexor muscles in your pelvis, your arms including shoulders, your back, and your neck. If you don’t suffer from any illness, you can directly search on YouTube for stretching videos.

This is a way to start the habit. But if you suffer from arthritis or Parkinson’s, you should consult a doctor to advise you on which exercises you can do. Let the cure never be worse than the disease! It is also advisable to get a good mat to place on the floor so your exercise routine is more comfortable. Direct contact with the floor can also be very cold.

Stretching is simple… But it also has its trick.

Before stretching, you must keep in mind that you are suddenly demanding a considerable level of effort from your muscles that could damage them in a second. When cold, muscle fibers are not prepared for such a quick and sudden response. Many people may think stretching is silly, but the truth is it is an exercise that requires some preparation, basic knowledge of how our body works, and correct execution.

A brisk walk for 5-10 minutes can be the ideal warm-up before stretching. If you live in a house with a garden, terrace, or patio, use that space to walk. If you don’t have any of these because you live in an apartment in the city, go outside and take a “walk around the block” near your building. Or maybe you are lucky to live near a park, promenade, or green area. After that walk, your muscles are ready to be stretched. Now stretch each muscle for about 30 seconds. If all goes well and it is done correctly, you should feel tension but no pain. That is the key to the importance of doing stretches correctly.

Consistency: Crucial for muscle maintenance!

This advice applies to any physical exercise (how to prepare for a half marathon) or sport. Consistency is crucial for muscle maintenance and the only way you will notice your body responding positively.
With a little willpower, even people who suffer from muscle tension and constant contractures as a result of not stretching for a long time, maybe even years, will feel better with the change.

It will take a few weeks or months to notice a clear increase in flexibility, but eventually, our body always responds. And as with any fitness exercise, the effects are cumulative; that is, you improve more and more every day.
In the long term, even if you interrupt your routine, your body will be in shape and your muscles will be less susceptible to contractures, sprains, and injuries in general. So now you know; don’t underestimate the importance of stretching.

Besides stretching, you can always get a massage with our pressotherapy machine Sizen 6+, without a doubt pressotherapy with all its benefits will also help you feel like new and ready for your next training session (if you do pressotherapy sports correctly).