The importance of stretching in winter

Cold-weather exercise can be a challenge when you are used to sub-tropical workouts which keeps your muscles warm, but you will survive winter if you MAKE SURE YOU KEEP STRETCHING. It can be yoga, a few ad-hoc warm-up or cool-down stretches or even a Cirque du Soleil-worthy routine – but you must stretch. And, while it may seem like a take-it-or-leave-it add-on to your exercise, if you skip the stretch you’re both cheating yourself out of a chance to enjoy all those wonderful endorphins you created and depriving your body of a gentle transition from high energy to everyday movement. There are a range of reasons to stretch from mindfulness to preventing injury and maintaining a good range of motion.

What does stretching do?

In the same way strength and endurance have their purpose in training, we also need to ensure our muscles elongate and provide the full range of motion. That’s where a dedicated stretching routine comes in – targeting the major muscle groups to help keep them limber and protect your joints. Suffer from lower back pain? Combine strength training and stretching to strengthen and support the area. Work at a desk all day? You need to gently stretch your spine with supported backbends to undo the sad C-spine which develops while you’re slumped at a screen! As for yoga, it lives up to the hype when it comes to connecting breath and body through a mindfulness practice. Jump on YouTube and start right now or join us on a Saturday with our delightful instructor Anne. Whatever you decide, start today!

How long should I stretch for?

A little bit of stretching every day is better than only doing a one-hour yoga class once a week (although you should do that too). But what should it involve? Well salute to the sun is a great beginner vinyasa (flowing yoga) routine, or you can Google for stretching ideas to suit your circumstances, whether you’re running, surfing, pregnant or confined to the office. The key is to listen to your body and follow what feels right. You’ll soon start to identify your preferred type of stretching!

In our personal training sessions we make sure you warm up and cool down appropriately so take this practice home and start and end each day with a gentle stretch. You won’t regret it!

Stretching is the prologue and closing credits of any exercise regimen – don’t skip it!