Gate City Striders

Stretching increases flexibility. Flexible muscles can improve your daily performance. Tasks such as lifting packages, bending to tie your shoes or hurrying to catch a bus become easier and less tiring.

Stretching improves range of motion of your joints. Good range of motion keeps you in better balance, which will help keep you mobile and less prone to falls — and the related injuries — especially as you age.

Stretching improves circulation. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles. Improved circulation can speed recovery after muscle injuries.

Stretching can relieve stress. Stretching relaxes the tense muscles that often accompany stress.

Warm Up – Warming up increases blood flow to the muscles, increasing their temperature, making them more elastic and less likely to tear.  Before you run, warm up by walking and gradually increasing your pace.

Stretch Before Exercise – Light stretching before exercising may be beneficial, but only after warming up.  Stretching cold muscles may cause injury.

Cool Down – Slowly reduce the intensity of your workout to allow your heart rate to come down gradually.  An active cool down may prevent dizziness after exercise and help remove waste products from the muscles, which can lead to soreness.

Stretching After Exercising - Stretching after exercise helps the muscles to relax, realign and re-establish their normal range of movement.