How to improve our flexibility?

Have you ever noticed how easily children move? We could say that they are made of a super-elastic substance that makes their movements much more comfortable; however, as the child becomes an adult, this ease of motion decreases. As we get older, we don't become rigid, and it becomes increasingly difficult to stretch our bodies. It, however, should not be the case. It is possible to preserve and improve our flexibility if we take a little care and interest. The advice in this article is based on our own experience and theoretical information with many articles and free full essay.

Flexibility: an essential quality

Flexibility is something to which we attach little importance. It is often left out of most training routines and everyday life. However, flexibility is an essential quality for our bodies. The more flexible we are, the younger we feel. We must pay a lot of attention to our flexibility if we want our body to stay healthy for a long time.

Many people complain that they do not have flexibility when they cannot perform a particular activity. However, this is not a reality. Flexibility, like strength, speed, or endurance, can be trained and improved as much as you like. The problem is that, unlike other skills, flexibility tends to decrease from a very young age.

We could say that up to the age of 9 or 10, approximately, a child is as flexible as he or she came into the world. It is later, just before and during puberty, when specific muscular and skeletal changes occur that make it difficult for everything to remain the same. And, according to experts in the field, between the ages of 20 and 30, you can lose up to 80% of your flexibility if you don't work.

To develop and maintain flexibility, we must bear in mind the principles of progression and frequency. It means starting slowly and practicing about 3-5 times a week.

Factors to take into account to improve flexibility

Each person has a different percentage of flexibility. When there is a physical problem such as arthritis or osteoporosis, the range of movement is usually less. Likewise, some people have an excess of flexibility whose consequence is muscular weakness, which is not good.

Before discussing a sporting activity, it is advisable to warm up with low-intensity dynamic exercises. If we start to stretch when the muscles are cold, we could cause a tear. To begin with, you can walk for a few minutes or jump with a rope. It will cause the body temperature to rise and increase the blood flow to the muscles.

If you have not practiced sport before, you must consult a professional. This way, you will be sure not to cause muscle injuries that will later take their toll. If a trainer or professional designs, a training plan for you, you'll see that you healthily gain strength and flexibility.

Types of exercises to enhance flexibility

-Dynamic systems: they are easy to perform as they involve traditional exercises. They include, for example, throwing, swinging, and turning of legs or arms. They can be achieved with the help of another person, making them more fun. They are exercises that can be done by anyone, even if they are not an expert sportsman. You only have to be careful with the rebounds that can cause injuries.

- Static systems: these exercises are more effective than previous ones. It is because the muscle work is more localized. They are recommended for people who are used for sporting as it requires high concentration and control of body posture. Among them are the well-known isometric stretches (the stretched muscle is tensed for approximately 10 to 15 seconds by putting up an external resistance. Then it relaxes for about 20 seconds to be repeated)

As with any exercise, improvement will depend on where we start. A person who jumps from a sedentary lifestyle will have to make a more significant evolution than a person who already had a more active lifestyle.

Small tips to improve your flexibility

In addition to the exercises that we can carry out in gyms or sports activities, there are some things that you should consider if you want your flexibility to improve.

Start the day by stretching.

If you get into this habit, you will find that your energy level and flexibility will improve significantly. It's about stretching as soon as you wake up; if you do it in bed, it's also perfect. When you've just woken up, your muscles haven't warmed up yet. For this reason, you should stretch gently and in a way that you feel comfortable.

Before and after the exercise, Stretch!

Never skip stretching during any physical activity. Trying, both before and after, is very necessary to relax your joints. Many people ignore this part of physical exercise. However, skipping this part of the training can lead to injuries and loss of flexibility.

Add yoga to your life.

The best exercise to promote and preserve elasticity is yoga. The activities practiced in yoga help improve the muscles and joints' ability through their full range.

Pay attention to your flexibility in living.

Our body is a faithful reflection of our thoughts. If we think and live rigidly, our bodies will reflect this by tensing its muscles unconsciously. If we can live by adapting to what life has to offer, we will also be promoting flexibility in our bodies. Physical flexibility is closely related to mental flexibility.

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