The Importance Of Stretching, Warm-Ups And The Right Way To Include Them In Workout Schedule

Many fitness enthusiasts need to realize the importance of pre-workout stretches and warm-ups. Indulging in fitness activities has certain principles that must be followed properly. Fitness is a lifestyle and it should be followed under the rules and limitations. Stretching and warming up before getting involved in fitness activities is the first and foremost steps. A good warm-up session not only makes you ready for the workout but also it gets you ready mentally to tolerate and bear all the physical exertion.

Some of the basic pre-workout warm-ups and stretching that must be included in the schedule for every fitness enthusiast are -  

Child Pose: Mainly focuses on back, hips, thigh, and ankle. The process requires you to kneel on a mat with your toes touching and knees apart at a hip distance. While doing this pose, deep rhythmic breathing is recommended so that one can feel that he / she is lightening his spine during each inhale. Additionally, during each exhale one should try to relax more in the position by getting deeper into it

Jumping Jacks: Jumping Jacks are considered as of the best warm-up exercises. To perform this, one should be standing with the feet together with arms hanging by the sides. It regulates the blood flow, opens the joints, and also makes the body much more flexible to perform the intense workout.

Full Leg Stretch: It is easy yet effective for hamstring and lower back. This has to be performed by maintaining a straight posture while sitting up tall with the back in the actual position and shoulder relaxed. Performing these stretching workouts for 15 minutes before proceeding with the training is very useful if one wants to be consistent with his fitness.

Arm Swings: Simple and effective, arm swing stretching is for the upper body as it provides a proper opening of joints and makes the shoulder cuff flexible.

Toe Reaches:  As the name suggests, reaching the toes by bending the upper body down provides the proper relaxation to the muscles also it makes the upper body flexible and enhances its work capacity.

To perform this stretching workout one should stand tall and bend forward to touch the toes without folding the knees and must be performed for at least 15 minutes.