Stretching Tips

Always warm up for 5-15 minutes prior to stretching.

Move slowly when stretching. Take this time to relax and focus on your breathing.

Depending on what you choose, music can help energize or relax you.

When lying on your back, move your legs one at a time. Sudden movements with both legs can strain the muscles of the lower back.

Stretch to the point of gentle tension. If something hurts, stop immediately. Stretching should feel good.

Try to stretch at least twice a week. This workout can take as little as 7-10 minutes, or as long as you'd like. A few minutes every week can improve your performance, and prevent injuries, and help you relax.

Stretching Program

This is a good supplementary stretching program to your existing workout for

your off days.

Neck Rotation

Turn your head to the side, stretching your chin toward your shoulder. Turn

head back to center and repeat to the other side.

Shoulder Stretch

Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Raise one arm overhead and stretch as

far as you can without bending the torso. Repeat with opposite arm.

Forearm Stretch

Extend your right arm straight out in front of you, palm downward. With the

left hand, grasp the fingers of the right hand and pull back gently, stretching

the wrist and forearm. Repeat with the left arm.

Tricep Stretch

Raise one arm straight up, so your upper arm is near your ear. Bend at the elbow

and let your hand fall to the back of your neck. With the other arm, reach

behind your head and place your hand on top of the bent elbow. Gently pull down

and back on the elbow. Repeat with other arm.

Trunk Stretch

Stand with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Reach your left

arm overhead and bend to the right at the waist. Repeat on opposite side.

Torso Twist

Stand at arm's length from the wall, with the wall at your side. Reach one arm

out and place your hand on the wall. Reach the other arm around the body,

stretching the hand to the wall. Repeat on opposite side.

Chest Stretch

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Clasp your hands behind your back

and gently press your arms upward, keeping your arms straight.

Back Stretch

Lie on your back and bring one knee to your chest. Hold the knee with both

hands and gently pull in. Alternate knees and repeat.

Hip Roll

Lie on your back and bend your knees, feet flat on the floor. Let your knees

fall to the right while reaching both arms across your body to the left. Hold

the stretch, then roll the hips over to the left, stretch arms to the right and

repeat the stretch.

Lower Back Reach

Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Reach forward

oward your toes, keeping your chin up and lower back slightly arched. Try not

to round the back or tuck the chin in - this decreases the effectiveness of the

stretch.

Butterfly Stretch

Sit on the floor, bend your knees out to the sides and bring the soles of your

feet together. Place your hands on your knees and gently press the knees toward

the floor. Keep your back straight.

Lateral Hip Stretch

Sit on the floor with both legs straight in front of you. Bend your left leg and

place the left foot over the right knee. Place your right hand on the outside of

the left knee and gently pull the knee toward your right shoulder, twisting the

torso to the left, until you feel the stretch in your left hip. Repeat with

opposite side.

Hamstring Stretch

Stand with legs shoulder width apart and the left leg slightly in front of the

right. Shift your weight to the back leg (the right) and bend the knee, turning

the knee and toe to the right. Extend the left leg and place the heel on the

floor, toes in the air. Keep the back straight and bend forward at the hips

until you feel the stretch in the hamstring of the left leg. Repeat with the

opposite leg.

Standing Hamstring Reach

Stand with one foot crossed over the other. Bend at the hips, reaching toward

the floor and keeping the knees slightly bent. Repeat with the opposite foot

Crossed in front.

V-Stretch

Sit on the floor with your legs extended to either side so they form a "V".

Bend forward, grasp your toes or ankles, and stretch your chest toward the

floor. Try to go a little lower each time you perform the stretch.

Leaning Calf Stretch

Stand about 2 1/2 feet from a wall. Place your hands on the wall and lean in,

gently pushing your hips forward. Keep your legs straight and heels flat on

the floor.

Standing Calf Stretch

Stand with your feet together. Extend one leg in front of you and place the

heel on the floor, toes in the air. Keeping the back straight, bend forward

at the hips until you feel the stretch in the calf. Repeat with opposite leg.

Quadricep Stretch

Lie face down and reach back with your right arm to grasp your right ankle.

Pull your foot toward your buttocks. Be sure to keep your hips and pelvis on

the floor. Repeat with left leg.

Standing Quad Stretch

From a standing position, reach back to grasp your right ankle with your right

hand. Pull your foot toward your buttocks. Place your other hand on a wall or

chair if you need balance