How to Improve Flexibility
Question: My wife and I exercise to your workouts. When it comes to the final stretch it is much easier for her. She has a much greater range of motion than I do. Is this something I need to work on?
Answer: Some people are more flexible than others. And, generally speaking, women tend to be more flexible than men. Much of flexibility depends on genetics but anybody can improve their flexibility through proper stretching.
Proper stretching means stretching when the muscles are warm, such as toward the end of a warm-up or at the very end of a workout. Cold muscles and tendons do not have enough elasticity to be stretched. They must be warmed first.
Proper stretching also means static stretching - holding each stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. Avoid any bouncing movement when you stretch. Although you will sometimes see people do it, there should be no bouncing or ballistic movements in stretching. Movements of this type can actually cause tiny tears in the muscles being stretched.
You may never be quite as flexible as your wife but you can always improve on your flexibility.
Have a question for Gilad? Click HERE and send it in! Gilad will choose one question each week to answer.
Find out more information about Gilad and his Fitness DVD's HERE.
Comments