top of page
Writer's picturePaula Allia

Time to Stretch




There is no time like the present to start something that is extremely beneficial for you.

Fall is here and Naples’ winter is just around the corner. What are you going to do for yourself this season?


As most people have come to understand, exercising your body is pertinent to your health. With increased blood flow, your muscles and joints warm up allowing more freedom of motion, more strength and endurance to participate in life, and endorphins are released giving a feeling of overall well-being. Exercising the mind, body, and spirit is ideal for health and longevity.


When you exercise, the muscles contract and go through shortening and lengthening cycles. The phases affect the muscles differently depending upon the speed and resistance of movement. All aspects provide therapeutic results.


Stretching can be done as a precursor to exercise or post-exercise. It is felt that stretching itself is actually a form of exercise. Let’s talk about what stretching can do for your body, mind, and spirit.


There are several advantages obtained from stretching. Various goals can be achieved depending on your individual needs. Interestingly, your body can undergo stresses and strains from not only exercise but from prolonged positioning as well. Muscles can tighten up and if not kept at optimum length, limited range of motion of your muscles and joints can occur. The muscles can restrict the normal excursion causing compression. Excessive compression can cause abnormal wear and tear. The joints get limited to a point that they may not be able to correct.


Stretching can maintain or increase flexibility. There is a normal length for each muscle. Good flexibility with normal length allows for more of the muscle to be lengthened and strengthened so more of the entire muscle joint mechanics can thrive. If tight muscle pulls on the bone too much, bony abnormalities and misalignments can develop, leading to tightness, bone spurs, and arthritis. Prolonged positioning or repetitive motion from job responsibilities and habits can shorten muscles leading to these problems. If unaddressed for too long, permanent shortening may occur causing poor postural alignment in the spine or extremities.


Arteries, veins, and nerves run along and within muscles. If there is tightnesses, these may not function in an efficient manner whereas good flexibility allows for enhanced blood flow and improved neuromuscular function. This may lead to improved function in sports and decreased recovery time.


Tightnesses may lead to a forward head posture or an exacerbated curvature in the spine. Your core is ideal with normal muscular length and strength to provide a framework so that your arms and legs can perform throughout the day.


Needless to say, exercise is important but improved stretch availability, flexibility, and extensibility manifests into quality of everything. There are many methods of stretching, but a significant difference occurs when stretching is done right.


Many people desire to stretch on their own. It is common, however, that the stretches are not held long enough or the ideal position for stretching a certain muscle is not always used.

Finding that trained professional that will develop a stretching program that will meet your needs. The personal trainers at Fitness Together in downtown Naples have always incorporated stretching into the exercise sessions. Currently, a new stretching session is now offered, focusing on one-on-one hands-on stretching for the entire session. This is a much-needed addition for the local population of Naples.


Performing stretches in good positions and not allowing for body substitutions can provide the body that extra step to propel each person into an overall wellness. Maintaining this stretch over time and strengthening the appropriate muscles leads to better postural and spinal awareness and allows for good rib excursion, thus allowing the expansion of the lungs, providing the much-needed oxygen to the organs, muscles, and joints. Expand your fitness and seek that good stretching program today.


Here’s to your Health!



 

239.263.9348

335 14th Ave South, Naples, FL. 34102

Comments


bottom of page