The
Importance of Stretching in Cold Weather
Dec 16, 2015
Everyone understands how important
it is to stretch before any exercise. Now that its winter, it’s really
important to remember to stretch, especially if you still crave that outdoor
run or workout routine. When it’s cold, your muscles tend to tighten, which
makes them more prone to injury.
Warm
up Before Stretching
In warm weather, you probably
stretch before doing any exercise. You have to do things slightly different in
cold weather. Stretching a cold muscle can result in pulling or straining your
muscles because they’re tight. In cold weather, start with a light activity
such as walking, jogging or shuffling to get your blood flowing through your
body and to your muscles. This will help warm and loosen your muscles.
Dynamic
Stretching
Dynamic stretching is key to your
winter workouts. When it’s cold, and you’ve got your blood flowing from your
brief warm up, keep it going with dynamic stretching rather than static
stretching. The repetitive moves like arm circles and leg raises help keep your
blood flowing while loosening your muscles. Never underestimate the power
of a one-minute jumping jack or jump rope session to get your body going.
During
the Workout
Remember it’s important that you
keep your blood flowing and your muscles warm, if there’s ever an extended
pause in your workout, keep moving by doing some more dynamic stretching
exercises or even jogging in place. With cold temperatures, it does not take a
lot for your muscles to tighten up; keep them warm to avoid getting
injured.
Cool
Down
Although the temperature is cold,
it’s still important to cool down your body properly. Incorporate static
stretching in your cool down to help slow your heart rate and relax your
muscles. A static stretch after your workout will improve range of motion and
flexibility for future workouts.
If you love to get outside to run or
workout, don’t let the cold temperatures slow you down. Just make sure that you
properly stretch your muscles to help you avoid any unwanted injuries. Talk to
a personal trainer to learn more about dynamic stretching and exactly how to
stretch in cold weather.
Your local Fitness Together® trainer will
help make sure that you’re stretching properly and which stretches will benefit
you most. Keep in mind that at Fitness Together in Brecksville we offer private
45 minute private stretching sessions with our Stretch
Your Limits Program. If you don’t have a personal trainer and want one,
find one now at www.fitnesstogether.com.
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