STRETCHING

Hello!

Leah and I are hoping that you are having an excellent week! This has been
a strong week for us because we are adapting to styles and habits just to
improve us as human beings. For example, more water, more new types of
veggies and for our junky part, a new type of ice cream! Anyways, I am
hoping that whatever ways you are trying to improve YOU that you are very
strong.

I am catching you at the end of the week to share this tip of stretching.
Hopefully this is something you can do over the weekend, since it will be
fresh in your mind.

Stretching - a form of exercise or a pre-exercise discipline.

This is often the misguided definition of this practice. Stretching is NOT
to be done before you workout and it is not a warm-up. To grill a steak you do not pull on it. To get it warm,you actually put it on the fire. To get heat in your
muscle system, you have to perform and sustain the physical activity until
the system temperature is raised by a degree centigrade. Research
increasingly shows that a stretching habit isn’t good for warm-up, injury
prevention, preventing muscle soreness, or even for flexibility (Paul
Ingraham, Registered Massage Therapist). I bet you are surprised by this,
but I can see why you would be. This is a bold concept.

When challenged, many stretching enthusiasts have a hard time explaining
why they are stretching. The value of stretching has been elevated to
dogma without justification. Everyone just “knows” that it’s a good thing.

1. warming up
2. prevention of muscle soreness
3. prevention of injury
4. flexibility

And sometimes you also hear:

5. “performance enhancement” (faster sprinting, for instance)

Body heat is generated by metabolic activity, particularly muscle
contractions. The best way to warm up is probably to start by doing a
kinder/gentler version of the activity you have in mind. i.e. walk before
you run

Well, my point here today is that stretching is NOT the replacement for
pre-workout or even working out. I don't want you to find quick salvation
in stretching hoping there will be weight loss. Please indulge in your
exercise program before stretching. You will be happy you did. Make it a
focus. There is a good chance you will get what you are looking for in the
end.

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Stephen & Leah Menya
Owners & Personal Trainers
www.LionsGym.com
952-474-7000