Stretching

How many people actually stretch before or after their workouts?? Probably not many. People do not realize the very important benefits of stretching. ROM (range of motion) is greatly increased when stretching becomes a daily routine for athletes. An increases ROM can help prevent injury, shuttle lactic acid out of the muscle after a long workout, and it can also aid in preventing slow delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). For those of you that have really tight hamstrings or lower back, take a tennis ball or racquetball and roll it under the arch of your feet for 30 seconds. This not only will take stress off of the bottom of your feet, but it will also relieve pressure that is built up in your legs and lower back. I suggest doing 4 to 5 sets of this per foot, for 30 seconds. Do this when you wake up, and then again right before bed. It's also beneficial to do movement stretching (ballistic) before your workouts to warm up your joints and increase blood flow, and static after. Incorporate stretching in your daily routine and you wont be dissappointed!!