We all know the reasons why we need to maintain a good Range of Motion (ROM), and how detrimental have tight muscles can be to our performance (in our daily lives and our sporting pursuits).
I was not brought up on a staple diet of stretching and maintaining flexibility, in fact, stretching was something that was done for a few seconds before starting the activity (I was a rugby player at school).
Our Coaches did not do a great job of enforcing it either. At the end of practice or a game, we would have a quick run through of the session, or chat about the games final outcome, and then pack it in.
16 years later (OK 18), and I wish that I had made it a bigger part of my training. I use all the same excuses you use:
- I hate stretching!
- I am tired after training - I just want to shower and eat.
- I always do the same stretches.
- Even after stretching I feel stiff and tight.
Over the past few years, I have made stretching a more regular feature of my training, and since my wife developed ITB and Patello-Femoaral pain, we now both stretch and roll for at least 10 minutes at the end of our training.
- I hate stretching! Well, it is not my favorite part of the program, but I see it helping her recovery from her injury.
- I am tired after training - I just want to shower and eat. We now stretch while having a snack and some juice.
- I always do the same stretches. I work for a company that has awesome online content including stretching and Self-Myofascial release videos - a no brainer.
- Even after stretching I feel stiff and tight. You might not gain the flexibility of a Russian Gymnast, but continued stretching, and incorporating some foam rolling, will leave you feeling a lot looser.
Foam Roller Stretching - Part 1:
Foam Roller Stretching - Part 2:
Full Body Stretch with Bands - Part 1
Full Body Stretch with Bands - Part 2
I know you will feel the benefit from doing these 4 short stretch and roll sessions, so feel free to let me know how it works out for you.
