Why bother to stretch?

Before we get deeper into the basics, let’s discuss some of the reasons why stretching is a valuable adjunct to any health and fitness program.

These are some proposed benefits of a regular stretching program:

Assists in decreasing unnecessary neuromuscular tension, promotes general body relaxation, and reduces emotional stress.
During pre-activity warm-up, may increase tissue temperature through an increased metabolic rate.
Helps improve the capacity for activity. Stretched muscles require less energy to complete movements. Training/exercise sessions feel much smoother, and lethargy is reduced (Faelli et al. 2021).
During the cool-down process, may increase blood flow to fatigued muscles, help reduce soreness, increase muscle relaxation, and improve postexercise flexibility (Król et al. 2022).
Helps maintain and increase complete range of motion around joints.
Relieves muscle-joint stiffness associated with the aging process (Hirata and Akagi 2024).

Two nearly universal answers to the question “Do you stretch?” are “I know I should, but I can never find the time” or “Yes, but not enough.”

Here are some strategies to help develop a more robust stretching program.

Make stretching less formal. Don’t worry about finding a block of time to stretch. Do a stretch or two anytime you get up from sitting. Stretch while you’re doing something else, like waiting for your oatmeal to cook or listening to a podcast.
Create small habits. Choose just a couple of stretches you enjoy, start doing them regularly, and then slowly add more as you get more consistent. Start with easy stretches, not where you feel the most stiff or tight.
Put your stretching stuff in a high-traffic spot. This will help keep stretching at the front of your mind.

More Excerpts From Facilitated Stretching 5th Edition With Online Video

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