Flexibility
Exercises for Beginners
Flexibility
is an important component of health-related fitness, but flexibility training is often neglected, even among regular exercisers.
Flexibility describes the ability of a joint and surrounding
muscles to move through a specific range of motion with ease and without
pain. Lifting weights promotes lean muscle mass, and
aerobic exercise such as running improves the function of the heart and lungs,
but what can flexibility training do for you? Here are a few of the benefits:
In addition
to these physical benefits, flexibility training can improve mood by releasing
muscle tension and facilitating relaxation. For best results, do some form of
flexibility training at least two to three days per week.
However, if stretching is not currently part of your fitness program, you can
enjoy the benefits of this type of training by incorporating just a few
flexibility exercises for beginners at the end of your workout session. Here
are three to get you started, and all you will need is a yoga or exercise mat:
This
stretch focuses on the psoas muscle, which can become tight from extended
sitting and repetitive aerobic exercise activities such as running.
This
stretch focuses on the hamstrings (back of the thigh) and relieves tension in
the back.
This
stretch focuses on the outer hip and gluteal muscles, and relieves tension in
the lower back.
Keep in mind
that flexibility is joint- and muscle-specific and varies from person to
person. People who are very flexible in their hamstrings may find that
they lack the same level of flexibility in their shoulders. Fitness level,
genetics, age, gender and individual anatomy all impact
a person’s flexibility. Still, flexibility will improve with consistent
training.
Follow
these tips to get the most out of your flexibility training:
AUTHOR
Jennifer
Turpin Stanfield, M.A., ACSM EP-C, is a professor in the Department of Health
and Human Performance at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She is
an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, registered yoga teacher and a
national presenter for NETA. Jennifer has more than 17 years of experience in
the health and fitness industry and is passionate about helping others live
healthier lives through the adoption and maintenance of positive health
behaviors.