General Fitness Training
By | July 3, 2008
To avoid muscle and joint injury, it is important to carry out warm up and stretching exercises prior to any fitness training workout. This is not the only thing that it is important to remember if you intend to carry our fitness programs. Many people consider it unnecessary but people who do not perform stretching movements before and after a workout are more likely to hurt themselves. This flexibility is further improved when you carry out muscle and tendon stretching exercises after you have finished any physical activity.
Hold your stretching position for more than 60 seconds to increase flexibility, because although holding your position for 20 seconds is enough for warm ups; holding each position for at least 60 seconds will develop the body’s flexibility. Do not go into a stretching position then immediately return to the relaxed position; and, do it repeatedly which is more appropriately termed bouncing while in a position. By hold the stretched position for several seconds, and then slowly relaxing means you can do this exercise repeatedly, but bouncing or forcing yourself into a position during stretching can strain or damage some joints or muscles. Do not jump from an easy stretching exercise to a hard one, but complete the easiest first and do the hardest last as by this time most of your muscles will be warm and it will make the difficult exercise easier.
For some people, even if they have strong bodies, they tend to neglect the neck when working out because stretching the neck muscles can be as simple as placing the palm of one’s hand against the front of the head and pushing it; then, do the same to the sides and the back of the head. It is always a good idea to continue with this stretching at certain points in the fitness training workout particularly if a difficult exercise is about to be performed as it will help make the routine easier. Do not overstretch your self performing exercises you are not yet ready for just because there are others who can as this will cause further problems; work to your own pace. There are days when your body may be too tired that you may have to consider reducing your range of motion so learn to rest in between sets and stations to make sure that the body has enough time to recover its energy.
If you are someone who goes to the gym for fitness training every day then remember to alternate the muscle groups as they need to rest and grow for a day before being used again. Aerobic exercises are very good for the health of your heart and improve lung capacity and lower the heart rate; look to carry out rowing, running, skipping for example before you start attacking the weight machines. If you are someone that likes aerobic exercise then you should listen to music if possible as it helps to have a regular beat. Just make sure that you take your headset with you so you won’t disturb people who may prefer not to listen to your music while exercising. If you are someone who has trouble relaxing or sleeping then you may want to consider stretching exercises as it is good for you even if you are not working out.
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