Everyone seems to know that you should stretch before you exercise, but why? Very few people actually like stretching, even fitness jocks who usually can't wait to get going.
And of course stretching does burn any calories, build muscle, or improve cardiovascular fitness so some people see it as a waste.
Are there really benefits to stretching and what are they? Stretching helps maintain your flexibility, whether your exercise or not.
This is important for everybody, especially older folks as your tendons tend to shorten and tighten as you get older.
If you are flexible you'll tend to be more lithe, move more easily, and less clumsily.
You just may avoid a nasty fall if you're more flexible from stretching.
Stretching also improves your posture.
Even notice if your back and neck are stiff, perhaps from overdoing it in the gym, you tend to walk bent over and uncomfortable.
Less flexible often means worse posture.
Flexibility also helps with muscles imbalances.
This is when one muscle is stronger than the opposing muscle.
For example if your quadriceps (front thigh muscle) is stronger than your hamstrings (rear thigh muscle).
This throws off your balance, although you may not even notice, and increases the chance of an injury such as a pulled muscle.
Stretching helps with muscle imbalance.
I always stretch before exercising, even though recent studies show it doesn't necessarily reduce the chance of injury.
I'm not sure if I trust those studies, so I always stretch before exercising, and see no downside.
Stretching is about as exciting as brushing your teeth or washing the dishes.
However it's important and everyone should stretch a few times a week.