When I turned 50 last year, I started feeling aches and pains in places I never imagined! I realized if I wanted to continue doing what I love (exercise!) I needed to stretch more.
According to the American Council on Exercise, FLEXIBILITY is one of the five components of fitness. Stretching should be an integral part of every workout program.
Here are ACE’s Top 10 Reasons for why you should always take the time to stretch:
1. Decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of motion. Stretching helps improve your range of motion, which may also slow the degeneration of your joints.
2. May reduce your risk of injury. A flexible muscle is less likely to become injured if you have to make a sudden move. By increasing the range of motion in a particular joint through stretching, you can decrease the resistance on your body’s muscles during various activities.
