Fitness and Workout Tips

These fitness tips are provided by Noah to help you achieve the best results in your workout. Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any fitness training or workout routine.

Fitness Tip of the Month: Find the Time to Stretch

By Tracy Morgan, Director of the Cybex Institute

Stretching is considered an important component in most human performance routines. Research has not confirmed its exact benefits, but improved range of motion, recovery from exercise and relaxation may be a few. However, stretching is often the lowest priority in the list of tasks to be completed during your workout. As a result, it is often left undone! Here a few tips for squeezing in a few stretches so that you can experience the benefits in the least amount of time.

1. A Stretch Between: Between strength training sets, stretch the muscles that you just worked or any other muscles. Like a super set (see my tip Super Setting), this method allows you to recover, but accomplish the task of stretching as well.

2. Commercial Stretch: If you enjoy vegging out in front of the tube as a part of your relaxation routine, include a few stretches during the commercials of your shows.

3. Pick a day: If you take a day or two off during the week and forgo strength training or cardiovascular exercise, go to the gym and stretch! A 30-minute visit is all you need!

4. Take a class: Yoga or flexibility training classes are often offered at gyms and studios. Take advantage of the opportunity as well as the benefits.

5. Morning stretch: Commit to doing your stretches before you hit the shower. Before the day has started, you've accomplished a physical task and can go into your day feeling loose and flexible.

Two common methods of stretching are often practiced. The first is the hold and relax method. Hold the stretch for 6-10 seconds, relax and repeat. The second is the hold method. Much like yoga, a position is held for up to a minute and then another stretch is performed.