ProForm Fitness Tips: How To Stretch Before Your Workout

“Hi, I’m Carissa. Your personal trainer from ProForm. Stretching is one of the most important parts of your day. If you’re someone who sits all day or performs a repetitive motion, frequent stretching allows those muscles to increase their range of motion.

To incorporate it into your daily routine, try stretching each of the major muscle groups at least 2 times a week for 60 seconds per stretch. Good times to stretch include an hour after waking, after you exercise, or being in one position for more than an hour.

Before exercise, you can try a dynamic stretch which moves a muscle group fluidly through a range of motion. Another way to think of dynamic stretching is doing the exercise you’re about to do at a lower intensity. Try this: 3 sets of 10 squats, jumping jacks, and arm circles.

Remember, flexibility doesn’t happen overnight so be patient. The cumulative effects will be there with continued practice and effort.”