What Stretches Should I Do Before Lifting?
The last thing you want to do is pull a muscle because you didn’t stretch.
Stretching is something a lot of weightlifters sometimes forget to do. This is bad because stretching is an essential part of any lifting routine, and it should not be missed before any session. If you’re sitting in an office all day or if you just woke up from a full night of sleep, it’s likely your body is going to be stiff and not so responsive; if you take on heavy amounts of weight in these conditions, you’re just asking to pull something or injure yourself. Take stretching seriously: not only will it prevent injury, it will also help you in a plurality of other ways during and after your workout.
Why Are Warm Up Stretches Important?
To understand why warm up stretches are important, you must first think of your muscles like rubber bands. Human muscles are not meant to bend at the drop of a hat; add an excessive amount of weight to the picture and you’re almost definitely talking about an injury. If you’ve spent all day in front of a screen and hunched over a keyboard, your muscles have essentially gone unused; the office was cold too, which means your muscles are especially tight and constricted as a result of the temperature. Now put yourself in a gym, under weight and pushing with all of your strength—your muscles are going to rip: and it may be so severe that you feel it distinctly. Avoid this nightmare and allocate a decent amount of time before your workout to stretching.
What Kinds of Stretches Should I Do?
The willingness to dedicate time to stretching is important, however, it’s just as important that you stretch properly in order to maximize the positive benefits stretching has. To begin: you want to avoid static stretches; these stretches cause you to overextend your muscles, which as a result inhibits your ability to lift with power and strength during your actual workout. Instead, you want to be doing dynamic stretches: stretches that are based on free, open movements. The goal should always be to get yourself loose, active, and warm, for once you’ve achieved all three you’re good to go! Moreover, dynamic stretches help stimulate your nervous system, which means you’ll be more responsive throughout your main workout.
The XBAR Is Great for Stretching
If you’re an XBAR subscriber or someone looking to join the wave, you should know that the XBAR has in many ways revolutionized the way you can stretch before a rigorous workout. Light, dynamic stretches using the XBAR and its resistance bands will prime your muscles and make them ready to perform. It’s about time something like the XBAR made stretching fun. Try it now!