Flexibility is important whether you’re an athlete or an ordinary individual. This an ability that is not always easy to achieve. And as you grow older, flexibility becomes more important. Being limber can help combat those aches and pains associated with aging; stretching can help you maintain better joint health. It can also make those daily tasks—carrying groceries, going up and down stories, etc.—much easier. But with chiropractic’s Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, which are main forms of chiropractic therapy that promotes flexibility, anyone can move freely without pain. Here are some tips if you want to start incorporating flexibility workout into your lifestyle.
1. It’s Not All About Stretching
Sure, stretching before and after a workout is better than nothing. But that’s not comparable to a flexibility workout. To enjoy long-term benefits, you have to have a flexibility program developed for you according to your needs and lifestyle.
2. Go For A Personalized Approach To Flexibility Training
What do you do most of your time? Is it sports? Deskbound job? Or are you a performer? It’s important to take your daily activities into consideration to develop a flexibility program that will benefit you the most.
3. Take Note Of Tightness
Don’t just ignore it if it feels tight somewhere when doing stretches because you may overstretch your muscles and cause injury. This is why a tailored flexibility training to your body is advised in order to not only get the best result but to also prevent injury.
4. Listen To Your Body
Your body knows your capacity sometimes more than you realize. So don’t push it too far or hold yourself back too much when stretching based on fear. Listen to your body. If it hurts, stop. If it doesn’t then you probably can do it.
5. You Can Be Creative
You don’t have to repeat the same program every day. Switch it up from time to time because lack of variety in your workout sometimes leads to no result at all. Or it may cause boredom for you which can result to not sticking to the workout or program.
6. Don’t Forget To Warm Up
Some people seem to think that stretching is warm up. Actually, no. Warm up are activities that will get your heart rate up and muscles limber like brisk walking or short jog.
7. See If Your Gym Offers Flexibility Classes
Don’t assume that different workout requires a different gym to go. Check your gym’s schedule since most gyms usually offer classes that combine cardiovascular work, strength training and flexibility work. If you think that’s too much for you as a beginner, you can just take one that’s exclusive flexibility training.
8. Stretching Is Important For Everyone
Maybe you have this false association with stretching—that only people in rehab do it or that it’s only for people who aren’t really in shape (that is: it isn’t “real” exercise). Well, it’s time to move past that misconception. Everyone should stretch. Young people to old folks can benefit a lot from stretching. Look at Olympic and professional athletes for inspiration or proof: they know that flexibility training is a key part of peak performance.
9. Consistency Is The Key
Just because you did it a couple of times doesn’t mean you’re good to go. Flexibility workouts need to be a part of your daily routine for it to be effective.