I used to ask myself this question. Does exercise really help? Through all the items I read, and proof I saw, I wasn’t sure is exercise would wear out the body in the long term. I mean, really… You see professional athletes who wear out knees, hips, and many other areas. People have sports injuries often. Or so it seems.
In the past I had injuries I related to being from exercise. Then again, I have had injuries that came from not enough exercise and too much computer work. Many years ago, sitting at a poorly ergonomic desk at the office, I sprained my chest muscles. The injury may have not happened if I had been able to make time and do exercise. But, instead I worked all the time.
Almost ten years ago, I had a leg injury from non exercise. I was working such long hours at a computer that eventually my legs were falling asleep more often. They would tighten up. I was working more than 10 hours a day at a computer for the office. The leg muscles tore easily one day when out and about doing normal things.
If I had been doing stretches and working out even once in a while, my body would have been a more “well oiled machine”. And these injuries would have been less likely to happen.
In this video, Jordan and model Sarah demonstrate foam roller stretches. Foam roller stretches are ideal in helping soothe tense muscles, stretch, and rehabilitate. If you have tired, sore, or injured muscles, foam roller stretches may be useful to learn about.
Yoga can be a wonderful part of fitness and stretching. Downward facing dog is one of our favorite exercises to stretch out many muscle groups and tone the body. Watch the video below to learn downward facing dog.
I have found that Thai Massage can be an incredible component to a fitness program as it is almost more similar to yoga than a massage. Thai Massage is unique in that it involves various stretching movements as well as deep tissue massage. I’d personally call it assisted yoga. Thai massage can assist in a rehabilitation program. No oil is used, clothes remain on, and it is usually done on the floor on a padded mat or cushions.
The most important thing to note when using Thai Massage for fitness is that you will need a talented person to do the massage each time. The person doing the massage will stretch muscles, use acupressure, compress muscles, mobilize joints, move blood throughout your muscles and joins, and relax tired muscles. The massage therapist uses his or her legs, knees, hands, and feet to move the body into a series of stretches. It is more rigorous and energizing than most kinds of massage. This helps muscles repair and heal faster.
Originally, Thai Massage was done by monks as part of Thai medicine. This kind of massage originated in India and was based on Ayurveda and Yoga. It was brought to Thailand more than 2500 years and is practiced quite a lot in Thailand as well as throughout the world.
When using Thai Massage for a fitness program, I feel it is one component. It is used to stretch, circulate blood, and heal muscles and joints. This means the next exercise workout can be done with optimal results since muscles have been given such assistance in repairing and lengthening. Search for thai massage on Amazon.com.
The Active Hamstring Stretch starts ut with the back on the floor, feet facing down on the floor, and arms holding just under the knee. To do this stretch, extend the right leg towards the ceiling by contracting the front of the upper thigh. As that leg is extended, gently pull that leg towards the chest for a couple of seconds and then release that leg back down. Repeat this exercise fot the other leg. This exercise can be done 5 times for each leg.
The Press ups stretch begins with the person face down on the ground. Toes are pointed down and arms folded forward under the body. The stretch happens by pointing the toes outward from the body and torso and head up with the arms so that the stomach muscles and front are stretched. Hold this stretch for a minimum of ten seconds, and repeat a few times.
The hip flexor and hamstring stretch is a useful stretch. To do this stretch, start out with one knee bent and extended so that the calf is perpendicular to the ground and thigh is just more than 90° from the calf. The other leg will be extended directly back with knee touching the floor as well as top of foot touching the floor. The torso is extended vertically parallel to the wall, perpendicular to the floor. Both arms reach up towards the ceiling and the head focuses forward. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds the first time. In future stretching sessions, this stretch can be held longer as comfortable.
The Quad Stretch is best used to stretch out your quad muscle. To do this stretch, you will want to lie on your side, and with your bottom arm hold your lowered leg toward the chest. For the upper leg, hold the top of your foot, and pull your top leg slightly back and up. The bottom leg and torso should stay still while doing this stretch. It is important to pull in the abdomen, not use the arm too much for the stretch, and to use the leg more to do the stretch. After doing the stretch for the one leg, flip sides and do it for the other side.
Perfect in Ten Stretch 10 Minute Workouts is a spectacular DVD that is designed to give you 10 minute stretches. The instructor, Annette Fletcher, has a good mood and personality as she instructs in this DVD. This DVD has five workouts so that you can lower your stress and increase your flexibility. There are many pieces of equipment that people often think that they need to purchase to stretch. The same goes for working out. Often people think they have to do everything or nothing, meaning in this case stretch for 30 minutes to really do well. This DVD really helps with the fact that 10 minutes of stretching can be better than zero minutes of stretching. No equipment is needed to use this DVD. Anyone at any fitness level may be able to do parts or all of this DVD in any location. Not only can stretching help flexibility, stress reduction, and mood, but it can also help your posture and burn calories! One section of this DVD has stretches that are done standing, lying down, or leaning against your wall. The next section are less active where you can stretch even while sitting in a chair. There’s a sports stretching section which will help you with various fitness activities. If you want a deeper stretch there is also an intense stretching section. Some stretches are active while others are passive. The five segments on this DVD assure you that it will be an important part of your collection for quite awhile.
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is a spectacular DVD that is designed to give you 10 minute stretches. The instructor, Annette Fletcher, has a good mood and personality as she instructs in this DVD. This DVD has five workouts so that you can lower your stress and increase your flexibility. There are many pieces of equipment that people often think that they need to purchase to stretch. The same goes for working out. Often people think they have to do everything or nothing, meaning in this case stretch for 30 minutes to really do well. This DVD really helps with the fact that 10 minutes of stretching can be better than zero minutes of stretching. No equipment is needed to use this DVD. Anyone at any fitness level may be able to do parts or all of this DVD in any location. Not only can stretching help flexibility, stress reduction, and mood, but it can also help your posture and burn calories! One section of this DVD has stretches that are done standing, lying down, or leaning against your wall. The next section are less active where you can stretch even while sitting in a chair. There’s a sports stretching section which will help you with various fitness activities. If you want a deeper stretch there is also an intense stretching section. Some stretches are active while others are passive. The five segments on this DVD assure you that it will be an important part of your collection for quite awhile.