You’re training for a big event—but how can you prevent injury? It’s something athletes and gym-goers think about often, but one of the keys is warming up and cooling down when working out.
We know warming up can improve our performance, but true athletes that the benefits of the warm-up come from dynamic stretching, not static. Dynamic stretching is a series of active movements that both stretch your body and get you moving.
A few examples include squats, lunges, jumping jacks, and arm swings.
Curious about the benefits of dynamic stretching? If so, keep reading to find the top three reasons to add it to your exercise routine.
1. Dynamic Stretching Helps You Avoid Injury
One of the best reasons to try dynamic stretching is to avoid injury. If you’re planning to engage in intense exercise, like lifting weights, cardio, or HIIT, you don’t want to start it when your muscles have been sedentary, as this puts them at risk of tears, soreness, or injury.
Using dynamic stretching as an exercise warm-up, as an alternative, gently prepares your body and muscles for the exercise you’re about to start.
If you’ve recently bumped up your exercise levels and you’re wondering how to heal sore muscles, dynamic stretching can help. You may also want to take a rest day, try an ice bath, or add more protein to your diet.
2. It Improves Your Flexibility
Dynamic stretching is also a great way to improve your flexibility. Flexibility is important for keeping us healthy and limber, but it also helps with proper posture, mobility, and balance.
If you start dynamic stretching on a regular basis, you may find a limited range of motion at first. But over time, you’ll become more flexible, allowing you to reach your toes, accomplish deeper squats, and move more comfortably.
3. Increased Mobility
Our top fitness advice for everyone is to keep active! We aren’t designed to be sedentary and need to move around as much as possible to look after our bodies.
Dynamic stretching gets your heart rate and helps you start moving, without even needing to leave your house. You can incorporate dynamic stretching into your daily routine, maybe once in the morning and once in the afternoon, when you’re feeling sluggish, and it can help you take a break from your desk and stay more active.
Start Enjoying These Benefits of Dynamic Stretching
With so many benefits of dynamic stretching, why not get started today? One great thing about it is that you don’t need any special equipment or fitness gear—you can do it from anywhere.
Commit to trying it for a set amount of time, such as a month, then take stock after as to how you’re feeling. You’re sure to have more energy and an increased range of motion, leaving you healthier and fitter.
Try it out today—what are you waiting for?
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