Static stretching

Static stretching refers to how far a muscle can be passively stretched around a joint, e.g. furthest distance you can move when trying to touch your toes.

This type of stretching routine serves to lengthen the resting muscle lengths and so restore ideal posture to the body. This greatly reduces the chance of injury and contributes greatly in rehabilitation and sports performance.

A passive stretching routine should be performed 3/ 4 times a week or more if you are very stiff at present. There are three main types of static stretching techniques aimed at increasing the muscle length. These work by either mechanically lengthening the muscle or by getting the central nervous system to allow increases in muscle length.

What to stretch.

Which muscle to stretch is a difficult question. In general stretching all muscles can be beneficial but the focus must be to find the tight ones and relax them. This is because it is the tight muscles that will cause injury. Tightness is a relative issue rather than absolute, for example, being able to touch your toes cannot be said to be a good or bad sign of flexibility unless it is compared to the flexibility of the opposing muscle groups. Differences from side to side of the body are also significant factors in injury,
for example, having the left hamstring tighter than the right.

To find out which muscles are tight complete some stretch tests. Then focus on the muscles that are tight on your body. Frequently re-test for changes in flexibility and focus for your stretching campaign.

When to stretch.

Static stretching should be done after an exercise session or later in the day. E.g. before bed time. Do not do static stretching if you have not done your active stretching routine at some point during that day as your body is not loosened enough to make any progress.

Points to note.

• Pain inhibits stretching, do not ever feel pain when stretching, you have gone too far if you do.
• Do not try and push the stretches, e.g. I have seen people try to break their backs in an attempt to touch their toes. Just be patient and use the techniques described.
• Do not be too concerned with how long to hold each stretch, gauge it by how the muscle releases tension. Remember also something is better than nothing

Stretching methods.

The three types of stretching routine are called basic hold, hold relax, hold contract.

Basic hold.

• Take the stretch to the point of tightness and hold for between 20 – 30 seconds.

Hold – relax.

• Take to the comfortable point of tightness and hold.
• Continue holding until the muscles relax (20 – 60 seconds)
• Now take a deep breath in and out and move the stretch onto the next point of tightness.
• Repeat as necessary.

Hold – contract.

• Take to the comfortable point of tightness.
• Now contract the muscle being stretched as hard as possible for 5 – 10 seconds.
• Relax, wait 3 seconds and take to the next comfortable point of tightness.
• Repeat by contracting the muscle once again for 5 -10 seconds.

• Do up to 5 contractions then change the stretch before repeating as necessary.

Static stretching exercises

You need to discove which muscles are tight and in need of stretching. The easiest way to do this is by using some simple stretch tests. Alternatively stretch the whole body and see which muscles feel really tight.

Then choose any stretch that targets your tight muscles. There are hundreds of different stretches but as long as your tight muscle is being stretched without hurting anywhere else on the body then do not worry about the merits of two similar exercises.

• Perform 3 or 4 times per week after a workout or while at home.

• Do not force any stretch, just let the body take you to a comfortable point of tightness.
• Use the hold relax or hold contract on muscles deemed particularly tight.
• Be particularly vigilant about over stretching the muscles during a hold contract.
• Do not allow a partner to push/stretch your muscles, theydo not know how tight your muscles are or how hard to push!

Static stretching is one component of fitness along with active flexibility.

Need Support Getting In Shape?

Changing your body on your own without support or an effective system usually ends in failure sadly. To avoid this outcome you can become one of my coaching clients either online or in person. I provide Holistic, Healthy & Sustainable Body Transformations. Contact me to discuss your goals further or see below for more details and the options available to you based on your location / preferences:

Worldwide (Online) – For transformations, coaching and support wherever you are in the world read more here>>>>

London (Battersea) – If looking for Personal Training Battersea please contact me. I am available for sessions in homes, private gyms or Personal Training Battersea Park. To see my locations please visit my Battersea Personal Trainer page>> 

London (Oval / Kennington) – For Personal Training in Oval & Kennington please  contact me. I am available for sessions in homes, private gyms or parks.

**************

Read My Book – The Grand Unified Theory of Weight Loss – My latest book is available in print, kindle/ebook and audio formats. You can read more about it and see where it is available here>>> 

Follow Me – You can get more great advice, tips, hacks and more by following me on one of my social media channels. Follow Me>>>

Instagram>> You Tube>>   Facebook>>  Twitter>> Tik Tok>>   My Weekly Newsletter>>

**************