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Stretch to Increase Strength
It's been my experience that flexibility training is the most overlooked element of an exercise plan, and according to a recent FitSugar poll many of you are guilty of skipping out on stretching. Perhaps you would be more inclined to stretch if you knew it increased your strength. Taking 20 to 30 seconds to stretch a muscle after working it has been shown to increase strength by up to 20 percent.
Fit Tip: Stretch in Bed Instead of Snoozing
When you're fast asleep in your cozy cave-like bedroom, it's tempting to hit the snooze button a couple times in order to catch up on a few more minutes of shut-eye. They're fragmented bits of sleep though since the sound of your alarm is constantly interrupting you. So instead of trying to get back to that dream where you embarrassingly showed up naked at the gym, use your time more wisely by stretching in bed.
6 Post-Skiing Stretches
You just spent the day soaring down the mountain, floating through a foot of fresh powder, carving quick turns, and tackling moguls. Your body is pleasantly exhausted and your muscles are tight, so here is a great sequence of stretches to do after a day of skiing or riding.
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Block Work: Lower-Back Release
If you have issues with a tight back, or pain in your lower back due to an injury or because you sit all day, give this stretch a try. It's similar to the Upper-Back Release and feels just as good, but it targets the lower part of your spine above the pelvis. If you don't have a block, use a foam roller, a rolled up yoga mat, or place a towel or blanket over a small stack of books (measuring four inches wide, six inches high, and nine inches long).
Block Work: Upper Back Release
If you've never stretched using a foam block, then get ready to embark on a whole new realm in the world of stretching. Blocks can be used to get you deeper into stretches than you can on your own. This upper back release is a simple and relaxing exercise that will open your chest and shoulders.
One Minute to a Healthier You
Sometimes it's the little things we can do for optimal health and most of the time it just takes a few minutes, or even seconds, to get back on track.
Do you experience back pain in the morning? If so it's most likely because your back is stiffer and more vulnerable first thing in the morning because of increased fluid and increased pressure in the discs.
What to Do After Your Workout
You might not have ever thought about this but what do you do once you've finished 30 minutes of cardio and lifted your last rep of your last set? Go home? Not quite.
A Superhero Takes the Dance Floor
I'll admit, I didn't see Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and apparently, I missed out. In this clip, Mr. Fantastic pulls a Stretch Armstrong on the dance floor and "woos" two lovely ladies by swinging them into a tailspin. Eff that.
Better Sex Through Yoga DVDs
My good friend FitSugar just told me about these exercise videos that are made to improve your sex life. I was worried when she told me they were called Better Sex Through Yoga, but she assured me that they weren't as cheesy as they sounded.
It's a 3-part DVD series, with each video being under 40 minutes long.
Yoga Video: Stretch Those Hips and Hamstrings
Need to open up and stretch those tight hips and hamstrings? Not only is this a wonderful sequence to start out with before moving onto deeper poses like backbends, but it's also a great way to warm up before or after a run, hike, or bike ride.
Music: "Om Namo Narayana" by Deva Premal
By the way, I'm wearing the Simplicity Pants made by be present.
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