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Fitness Wisdom Wednesday – Dangerous Stretching?
Ahhh stretching…the one thing we know we should do but don’t often spare enough time for while we’re rushing in and out of the gym, or on/off your Total Gym at home! We barely make enough time for exercise – how are we supposed to squeeze in stretching? You’ve also probably heard conflicting advice on when is the best time to stretch: before or after a workout? Well, the quick and dirty of it is that stretching is important, so make the time!
According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), recent research shows that stretching before a workout when your muscles are cold could be dangerous. And for those of us that only remember stretches that we learned in high school P.E. class could be hurting ourselves with prehistoric, static stretches! In fact, research shows that holding a stretch without movement before exercise could lead to muscle strains and pulls.
Click here for more information about safe stretching from the fitness experts at ACE.
The unique thing about Total Gym is it’s the only machine where you can both stretch AND strengthen muscles while you’re working out. Watch the video below to see sample stretches on Total Gym. Our experience in the rehab market over the past 35 years tells you we know a thing or two about safe stretching:
Cassie is the Communications Manager for efi Sports Medicine/Total Gym and a published fitness writer. Her “Fitness Wisdom Wednesday” posts appear twice a month on Total Gym Inside. Leave a comment below with suggestions for future posts.
Your Fitness Wisdom Wednesday article on stretching was excellent. Although I do stretch it was good to see how I can incorporate my Total Gym in my exercise routine. I thoroughly enjoy getting emails and info from Total Gym. Thanks for all that you do!
Sincerely,
Lou Sartori
Good to hear from you, Lou. We appreciate the feedback!
What a great resource!
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
That is one great gym machine! Yes, I do remember the stretching exercises from PE. Well, that was the way it was before but what it did teach us how important it is to warm up and cool down. Lack of knowledge of what is the right moves to do is one of the reasons why any people who do damage their muscle tissue during the warm up. With professional instruction, maximum results from a training program can be obtained.