O/T How do I increase flexability?

[Jimbo]

Today at my gym they where doing a free flexability test. They hooked me up to the machine and they told me to bend over (no jokes please) and the reading came out very poor. The dude told me that I need to increase back flexability. I asked him how and he told me that I would have to book a session and it would cost $$$. I figue Ill just get some guidelines here form you dudes!

 

[wolverine]

hmmm...... I 'm just going to throw something out here.....

maybe stretching would work?

Seriously, stretching is great. I still try to stretch at least 5-10 minutes a couple of times per week. I stretch the target muscle between sets too.

 

[Jimbo]

Just a regual streching rountine???

 

[stevehnsn]

If you want to increase flexibility, you'll need to pick at least 3 good stretches for the area that you want to improve (or pick at least 10 to cover the entire body), and dedicate a good 15 minutes after your workout to stretching. It's a good idea to stretch at least every three days to increase flexibility. Try to get some blood into whatever it is you're stretching that day. Then reach, but don't bounce. You can use resistance or static objects to increase the stretch, but don't stretch to the point that your muscle begin contracting to protect themselves from injury. Hold a good stretch for 20 seconds or more, and repeat each stretch one time or more.

 

[bloded]

I think on of the most important things with stretching is doing it consistently and over a period of time you will see the difference in flexability

 

[slide]

To increase flexability, you should stretch.

I stretch every morning before working out for about 10-15 mins. This is a total body stretch to get the blood flowing, etc. I'm not a human pretzel, but I can put my palms on the floor (when stretching hammies) and when I first started, I could barely get further than my calves. Good luck!

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[Mako]

Stretching

Here is my take on stretching. I think you need to be warm, either get out of a warm shower, hot tub or sauna. That alone will help against strains. It is unbelieveable how many people hurt themselves while stretching. If you are warm, your blood is flowing better and you are more limber to begin with. I totally agree with the above post in that continuous stretching over time is the best way to improve flexability.

Mako