Simple Habits to Improve Your Flexibility

0
210
Improve Your Flexibility

Many fitness enthusiasts focus almost entirely on building strength and stamina. While these are both important for good health, it is common to miss out another crucial aspect of physical wellbeing—flexibility makes movement easier since the muscles and joints have more range of movement. 

No matter what stage of fitness you are at currently, you can take steps to improve your flexibility by incorporating the following simple habits into your life.

Make Stretching an Easy Part of Your Day

Starting small and slow is the best way to add new habits to your lifestyle. Try reminding yourself to perform some basic stretches every morning before breakfast or while you watch television. By stretching at the same time as performing activities that are already part of your routine, you will find it easier to embed it. Look online to find some examples of stretches for beginners and figure out what works for your body.

Try Yoga

There’s a reason yoga has been so popular for so long. It is a form of exercise that can easily be tailored to suit an individual’s needs. Different levels of intensity and difficulty mean that you can start yoga at any stage—whether you have prior experience or not. Attending in-person yoga classes might motivate you to keep up with your flexibility training. You may also prefer to find a yoga video online to follow. It all depends on what is comfortable for you and what will keep you in the habit.

Consult a Medical Expert

Medical specialists are good sources of information when it comes to seeking advice for flexibility. If you feel like your fitness goals are being obstructed by a pre-existing condition, talk to your doctor about your choices. A physiotherapist can help to identify issues and suggest exercises to treat them. Search for physiotherapists in Cheltenham to get in touch with professionals who can help. It’s understandable that physical discomfort would get in the way of a consistent fitness routine, so by alleviating your pain, you will open yourself up to more opportunities for flexibility training.

Measure Your Progress and Set Goals

After a few stretching and yoga sessions you should be able to start measuring your progress. Once you have a baseline, keep a note of your progress so you can track your successes. You will also be better able to set realistic goals based on your own stats.

Work On Your Strength

When strength is made the top priority in a fitness routine, flexibility is often ignored, and vice versa. However, it is important that the two go together. Therefore, at the same time as improving your flexibility, include some strength exercises to keep your muscles in good condition. Again, yoga is an ideal exercise to achieve both of these goals.

Although you might feel that you are currently struggling with a lack of flexibility, it is an aspect of life that you can gradually improve with hard work and patience. Try daily stretching, yoga, talking to an expert, setting goals, and building your strength to see the results you’re looking for.

Read Also: How to Change Lifestyle Habits to Suit Your College Routine