Stretching

Stretch to Where You Feel It

Don't take pains with your muscle stretching. Stretch to where you feel the stretch in the target muscle, and hold it. Don´t stretch to pain. Don´t bounce. Certain athletes need to do fast, ballistic stretching exercises for their sport, but this is high risk and is not appropriate for most exercisers.

Hamstring Stretch

For a good hamstring stretch, lie on your back on the floor. Leave one leg extended on the floor and raise the other, knee straight, until you feel the stretch in your hamstring. Loop a towel around your leg and hold the ends in your hands to make it easier. Remember to always warm up well before stretching!

Corner Stretch for Chest

Forget all your grade school fears--standing in a corner is one of the best stretching exercises. Stand facing a corner with one hand on each wall, about chin level. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders. Repeat this muscle stretching technique for flexibility.

Neck Stretch

Got a pain in the neck? Muscle stretching can help. Maintain your ability to look behind you by keeping your neck flexible through neck stretching exercises. Turn your head as far as you can so your chin is over your shoulder, or close, then hold for 20 seconds. Repeat the stretch on the other side. Don't hold your breath.

Stretch Out a Cramp

Got a cramp? Loosen up and relax. Try stretching out a muscle cramp. For instance, for the calf cramp, or "charley horse," pull your toes up toward your shin in an opposing stretch. The calf muscle pulls the foot down, so you want to do muscle stretching and stretching exercises in the opposite direction to offset a cramp.