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Written by Webmaster
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Sunday, 03 August 2008 |
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You will always be advised to make sure before you start any form of fitness training activity to carry out warm up exercises to lower the risk of injury later on. But to help further with your workout there are some other things you may wish to do to make it more enjoyable. Firstly, stretching should be carried out because it improves the flexibility of muscles and joints prior to and after a workout. Ok so none of what I have said so far is a secret but you would be amazed how many people do not do it but were you aware that you should also continue this stretching at the end of a workout as the muscles are warm and more flexible.
For most warm-ups it is quite acceptable to hold a stretching position for twenty seconds but to really extend the muscles groups and joint flexibility, this should be lengthened to one minute. It is not advisable to stretch and then relax straight away but to return to the original position slowly. Some people have injured themselves because they extend beyond their limits and do not hold the stretched position for a few seconds before returning slowly. If you work the exercises in stages it will be easier and build up to the hardest stretches as you warm-up, this will also ensure all your muscles receive equal attention.
For some people, even if they have strong bodies, they tend to neglect the neck when working out because stretching the neck muscles can be as simple as placing the palm of one's hand against the front of the head and pushing it; then, do the same to the sides and the back of the head. It is always a good idea to continue with this stretching at certain points in the fitness training workout particularly if a difficult exercise is about to be performed as it will help make the routine easier. Workout only to your capabilities and not that of others so do not force yourself to do exercises that you are not yet capable of just because there are people who can do it; increase your limits slowly and listen to your body. There are days when your body may be too tired that you may have to consider reducing your range of motion so learn to rest in between sets and stations to make sure that the body has enough time to recover its energy.
If you are someone who goes to the gym for fitness training every day then remember to alternate the muscle groups as they need to rest and grow for a day before being used again. Aerobic exercises are very good for the health of your heart and improve lung capacity and lower the heart rate; look to carry out rowing, running, skipping for example before you start attacking the weight machines. It is well known that music makes exercise easier as the beat is something you can follow and these days the tiny mp3 players can be attached without too much bother. Stretching your body is a form of exercise in itself and a pleasant way to relax at the end of a hard day so it is worth doing regularly even if you do not want to workout. Apart from preventing injuries and increasing your limit, it is also said that stretching is good for a tired body and also for a stressed mind and spirit.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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Category One 
