Lifting weights is the primary reason why we go to the gym. Whether it is to lose weight or to gain muscles, the barbells and dumbbells have a special place in the heart. BUT! Lately, the importance of stretching before working out has been forgotten. A warm-up set or a few warm-up exercises are different than stretching. The following is a list of reasons that highlight the importance of stretching.
Avoids Muscle Injury:
A good session of stretching before working out will inevitably ensure that you do not end up injuring your muscles. Our muscles are strong enough to lift heavy weights, but they need to be ready for that. Stretching ensures that we get the blood flowing in our system and the muscles are ready to lift the weights. A muscle injury can lead to several permanent issues and it is best to take this precaution.
Improves Blood Circulation:
Whenever you indulge in stretching, and this can be any time and not specifically before a workout, you are improving the flow of blood and the entire circulation. Blood flows more freely through the vein of a flexible body as compared to a stiff body. Therefore, when you are stretching, you are giving your body the opportunity to ensure a better flow by reducing strains and tensions.
Reduces Risk Of Back Problems:
Almost every exercise that we do at the gym includes putting some amount of strain on the back. Stretching before working out gives your back an edge. No matter what the type of exercise, if there is a slight chance you can reduce the risk of a back injury, you should always take it. If you injure your back, the road to recovery is a long and painful one.
Reduces Post-Workout Muscles Soreness:
Whether it is chest day or leg day, if your working out is filled with a mixture of compound and isolation movements, your muscles will be sore. The best way to reduce the exorbitant amount of muscle soreness is by ensuring you are stretching before working out. Muscle soreness can lead to feeling lethargic which results in skipping the gym the next day. Avoid giving yourself unnecessary breaks at the gym and start stretching!
Increases Relaxation And Reduces Muscle Tension:
The reason why stretching before working out is given this much importance is to protect your muscles. Releasing muscle tension before lifting weights is an important precaution. Therefore, it is time to make sure that you give your muscles the care it needs. Muscles need to relax and it is only fair!
Final Words:
One common question raised by most of the people is: Is streching not the same as a warm-up set? The answer is NO. A warm-up set includes lifting weights and using muscle joints. The point of stretching is to make sure when you put a strain on your muscles, they are not tight. In fact, stretching before working out ensures your muscles are free, relaxed, and ready for stress. Whenever we are stretching, we activate the flexibility of the muscles which in turn helps the muscles cover the full range of motion. You can check out a series of workout tips here!
It is simple actually. The way we motivate ourselves before picking up a heavyweight or we relax our mind before starting a strenuous work, similarly, we prepare the muscles for stress by stretching before working out. Take care of your body, and it will definitely take care of you!