Reality check: Skipping the stretch is doing your body a major disservice. Taking just a few minutes to stretch can help promote flexibility, improve range of motion, and even minimize the risk of injury. You’ve probably heard it time and time again, but really, we should all be stretching daily. Here’s why: Better mobility and range of motion can also come from stretching, which will trickle down into your other forms of exercise. For example, it will become easier to squat more deeply (and effectively), run with less hip discomfort, and even practice Pilates or yoga with more ease. Remember, both your muscles and your joints thrive when you make stretching a consistent priority. It’s easy to brush this off, but your body needs the flexibility that comes from stretching in order to actually feel good while you’re working out. Think of dynamic stretching as ones that incorporate movement. Leg kicks with a toe touch, bodyweight squats, and arm swings are all great options to help support your mobility and range of motion. As for static stretching, this is when you’ll be stationary (think butterfly sit, quad stretch, etc.) If you can’t touch your toes right away, try bending your knees or working to get farther to the ground with each passing day. It can also be useful to stretch with a yoga block handy or even a resistance band to loop around your feet or legs to deepen your stretches. It may be uncomfortable at first, but that means you’re on the road to progress. “Use props to achieve an appropriate stretch without contorting your body,” suggests Kostyukovsky. “Props can include but are not limited to: yoga blocks, yoga strap, bolsters, a wall, and/or a counter.” Engaging in basic mobility exercises before working out is another great place to start, says Williams, but make sure to follow up your workout with static stretches to keep you feeling loose and limber as your muscles heal. In need of a little fitness inspo to kick things off? Check out our roundup of juicy stretches to lengthen those muscles and begin a new healthy habit.
