So, I know I should stretch before and after cardio. I really do. Just like I know I'll feel better if I don't have that piece of chocolate that's sitting by the coffee maker at work. But I tend to eat that piece of chocolate, and I really don't stretch. And now I'm paying the price. I spent an hour on the Arc Trainer at the gym on Sunday. I felt great. Endorphins flying. I was watching TV and reading a magazine, so not all that focused on my body. When I got home, I started to notice a pain in my back. Turns out, I strained a back muscle and my Doctor just told me I should lay off most exercise for the next week or so until it recovers. That sucks!I'm pretty confident that I would not be in pain if I had really worked out that tightness in my hamstrings right after that work-out.So, this is a reminder to all of us -- it really does pay to stretch. If you have any fabulous stretching routines, I'd love to hear them -- especially focusing on hamstrings.
Damn! Not Stretching Really Is Dangerous
Posted by Julie K.
So, I know I should stretch before and after cardio. I really do. Just like I know I'll feel better if I don't have that piece of chocolate that's sitting by the coffee maker at work. But I tend to eat that piece of chocolate, and I really don't stretch. And now I'm paying the price. I spent an hour on the Arc Trainer at the gym on Sunday. I felt great. Endorphins flying. I was watching TV and reading a magazine, so not all that focused on my body. When I got home, I started to notice a pain in my back. Turns out, I strained a back muscle and my Doctor just told me I should lay off most exercise for the next week or so until it recovers. That sucks!I'm pretty confident that I would not be in pain if I had really worked out that tightness in my hamstrings right after that work-out.So, this is a reminder to all of us -- it really does pay to stretch. If you have any fabulous stretching routines, I'd love to hear them -- especially focusing on hamstrings.