Stretching: Why Is It so Important?

If you’re looking to find out why everyone says stretching is very important, you should definitely ask about other aspects of it too. You should know how to stretch properly before and after a workout and how long it takes for muscles to really stretch. Additionally, knowing how your body should feel after stretching can help you identify any possible issues or injuries.

But, before you go to your favorite gym in Little Italy and start stretching away, let’s see why everybody should consider doing some stretches when working out.

Why is stretching important?Why is stretching important

It’s not just professional athletes who should stretch before and after a competitive endeavor. According to the California Department of Public Health, every individual, especially those who work out on a regular basis, shouldn’t skip stretching exercises.

But, why is stretching so important when it seems so simple? Well, stretching is what keeps your muscles strong, flexible, and healthy. It’s stretching that does wonders for your range of motion, and it’s stretching that elongates your muscles, greatly decreasing the risk of injury.

Take this as an example – Imagine you’ve spent the majority of your day sitting, making your hamstrings tight. Even walking would be less than easy in this condition, let alone exercising. If you task your muscles with a demanding activity without warming them up properly, you risk muscle damage, which will pull you away from the exercise mat for some time.

And that’s the gist of why stretching is hugely important – it prepares your entire body for activities that await, making your workout efforts more fruitful and your body less prone to injury.

Can stretching make you taller?

From a strictly scientific viewpoint, stretching can’t make you any taller. Stretching elongates and relaxes your muscles, but height has nothing to do with muscles. The structure of your bones determines how tall you are.

However, that being said, even though stretching can’t make you taller, it can make you appear taller. You see, when you constantly slouch, you’re not giving it everything you’ve got in terms of your height. But, stretch a bit, and that will change.

As already said, stretching will relax your overly tight muscles, improve your posture, make you stand up straighter and get you to walk taller. So, while stretching can’t make you physically taller, it can certainly make you feel that way.

What happens if you don’t stretch after a workout?

Skipping stretching after a workout is never a good idea and here’s why:What happens if you don’t stretch after a workout

  1. Contraction – When you work out, your work your muscles and, when you work your muscles, they contract and become tighten up. It is difficult for muscles to recover quickly when in this state, but if you do some stretches, you will help your muscles relax and recover rather quickly.
  2. Lactic acid – Ever get that burning sensation in your muscles after a good workout? Well, that’s lactic acid for you. It accumulates in your body as you exercise, making it more difficult to function afterwards. However, with adequate post-workout stretching, it can leave your system fast.
  3. Imbalanced muscles – When you’re working out, you contract certain muscles while elongating others. If you let your muscles remain in these positions after a workout, you put them at risk of imbalance. Luckily, proper stretching prevents it.
  4. Spasms – Finally, if you skip stretching you might experience muscle spasms all over your body, but mostly in your back. If you want to avoid these painful occurrences, never skimp on stretching!

“I need a place in Little Italy with a gym staff willing to teach me how to stretch!”

If you’re looking for a gym where you can not only exercise, but also learn how to stretch properly before and after working out, you’re in luck! Fit in Little Italy is just the place for you because we care about our customers. We’ll teach you more than just exercising – we’ll teach you how to take care of your body in the process. So, if you’re ever thinking of visiting the Maritime Museum of San Diego, think about visiting us too because we’re nearby. You won’t regret it!

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