If you want to use a treadmill to help burn calories and lose weight then it is really important that you stretch your muscles before you start exercising. Stretching helps to prevent injuries which could reduce your performance and the effectiveness of your workout.
Ideally, you will stretch right before you begin to walk on your treadmill and again afterwards. Stretching before your workout will help with your flexibility, and stretching afterward will also help prevent injury.
Here are some stretching tips to help you prevent injury to your muscles:
1. Don't stretch until it hurts. Some people push their muscles to the point of pain, thinking that it provides a better stretch. Instead, stretch to a position that is comfortable for your body and hold it for about 20 seconds.
2. Always remember to breathe while you are stretching. By practicing some deep breathing exercises while you stretch you will actually be able to give your muscles a much better workout.
3. Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Some people believe that stretching is the warm-up. But you should walk or jog for a few minutes to get the blood flowing and then begin to stretch.
4. A warm bath or shower and a stretch are excellent ways to end an exercise session. The warm water of the bath or shower will help to relax your muscles and the stretching will help avoid injury and will feel great!
5. You may have seen professional athletes bouncing while they stretch, but you should never ever do this! Bouncing during stretching exercises can actually cause serious injuries to your muscles rather than prevent injuries.
It's always important to stretch all of your muscles and not just those in your legs - after all, walking on a treadmill actually exercises your whole body! Be sure to fully stretch the muscles in your legs, such as your calf muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings. However, you should also make sure your other muscles are fully stretched too, pay special attention to your neck, abs, back and shoulders.
Try to be a bit more creative than just bending over and trying to touch your toes. Add in some other stretching exercises such as the splits and lunges. You can even work in some calf stretches by standing on a step and then dropping your heels - be sure to stop before it becomes uncomfortable though.
Keeping your movements slow and precise will give you the best results, in fact by keeping some tension in your muscles you will be sure to get the most from your stretching exercises. It is really important that you remember to stop stretching before it becomes uncomfortable though. - 16004
Ideally, you will stretch right before you begin to walk on your treadmill and again afterwards. Stretching before your workout will help with your flexibility, and stretching afterward will also help prevent injury.
Here are some stretching tips to help you prevent injury to your muscles:
1. Don't stretch until it hurts. Some people push their muscles to the point of pain, thinking that it provides a better stretch. Instead, stretch to a position that is comfortable for your body and hold it for about 20 seconds.
2. Always remember to breathe while you are stretching. By practicing some deep breathing exercises while you stretch you will actually be able to give your muscles a much better workout.
3. Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Some people believe that stretching is the warm-up. But you should walk or jog for a few minutes to get the blood flowing and then begin to stretch.
4. A warm bath or shower and a stretch are excellent ways to end an exercise session. The warm water of the bath or shower will help to relax your muscles and the stretching will help avoid injury and will feel great!
5. You may have seen professional athletes bouncing while they stretch, but you should never ever do this! Bouncing during stretching exercises can actually cause serious injuries to your muscles rather than prevent injuries.
It's always important to stretch all of your muscles and not just those in your legs - after all, walking on a treadmill actually exercises your whole body! Be sure to fully stretch the muscles in your legs, such as your calf muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings. However, you should also make sure your other muscles are fully stretched too, pay special attention to your neck, abs, back and shoulders.
Try to be a bit more creative than just bending over and trying to touch your toes. Add in some other stretching exercises such as the splits and lunges. You can even work in some calf stretches by standing on a step and then dropping your heels - be sure to stop before it becomes uncomfortable though.
Keeping your movements slow and precise will give you the best results, in fact by keeping some tension in your muscles you will be sure to get the most from your stretching exercises. It is really important that you remember to stop stretching before it becomes uncomfortable though. - 16004
About the Author:
Treadmill walking to lose weight is a terrific first step after you get those muscles stretched! Get treadmill workout strategies as well as detailed reviews of the best rated treadmills here.
