Flexibility exercises are the key to faster fatloss and that's the reason the top fat blasting fitness plans from P90X to fitness boot camp to celebrity workouts include them in their workouts. Flexibility exercises improve your range of motion so you can perform challenging more intense exercises. They also speed up recovery so you're not sore for days on end after tough workouts. But the most important reason flexibility exercises are so great is they help decrease stress hormones that get pumped into your body after tough workouts. Below are some easy to follow flexibility tips to get you started.
Move To The Tension Not Through The Tension
According to mobility expert Scott Sonnon moving through the tension only causes more tension so it's important to go near it or around it but never through it. In other words never force a stretch, but improve the range of motion of the areas around those tight muscles. For example if you have poor hamstring flexibility and this prevents you from doing killer lunges, inch worms, or downdog planks, then try 8-10 repetitions of knee or calf touches instead. Gently going back and forth between standing and bent over calf touches. Eventually your body will relax into the pose or exercise you want to do.
Don't Compare Yourself To Others
Your flexibility is based on genetics, fitness level, as well as joint health so trying to get into stretches or yoga poses that are way too advanced will only make you feel discouraged and can seriously injure you. Instead of trying to keep up with other boot campers, yoga students, or your best friend, work on improving slowly. You'll get better and faster results if you work on gradual improvements vs. trying to keep up with others.
Make It About Relaxing
If your primary goal is to use flexibility as a fatloss tool then the most important thing you can do is slow down. If you rush through it just to get it done you're kind of missing the point. Stretching isn't like cardio or strength training where you're constantly moving and your body is bombarded with all kinds of stimulus. Stretching requires patience, focus, and time. You might have to spend 5 minutes transitioning back and forth between triangle pose and warrior 2 or hold 3 versions of pigeon until you finally feel some release. This is what stretching is all about. The more you relax and stay in the moment the faster your cortisol levels will decrease and the more easily you will be able to relax into stretches. My favorite stretch to relax after a workout is reclined cobbler. Lay on your back with knees bent and bottoms of the feet together (legs in butterfly position). Draw the belly in and let the knees sink to the floor. Hold for 1 minute.
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