Stretching mistakes that limit your recovery

Stretching is a fundamental component of any workout routine. Incorporating stretching exercises in your warm-up or cool-down session can reduce your chances of getting injured and can ensure quicker recovery. Not only this, even performing standalone stretching exercises can increase your range of motion and make you more flexible.

01/ How to avoid these mistakes

Whether you choose to do dynamic or static exercises, as long as you are doing it correctly, you will reap its health benefits. Just like every other form of workout, there are some set of rules you must follow while performing any stretching exercises. Performing them mindlessly can minimise the effect and make you more prone to injuries. Here are some common mistakes people make while stretching.

02/ ​Not breathing enough

This is most important of all and the most common stretching mistake that people often commit. Breathing plays a crucial role in making any workout effective and the same rules apply for stretching. Holding your breath will make your body tense and your muscle will stay contracted, thereby restricting your range of motion.

03/ ​Overstretching

Indeed it is said to apply force and hold a stretch for a couple of minutes, but you need to know how much is too much. Applying too much force or holding for a long time can strain your muscles easily. You might experience pain and soreness long before doing the actual workout.

04/ ​Using the incorrect stretching technique

There are primarily two forms of stretching: Dynamic and Static. Both of them have different roles and functions. Dynamic stretching is an active form for stretching where you have to continuously move. It is preferred before a full-body workout. Static stretching is basically stretching a particular muscle group. This form of stretching is good for targeting specific muscle groups like biceps and triceps. So, you have to choose according to your need.

05/ ​Stretching injured muscles

Stretching might seem like a harmless activity where you have to move your limbs and body for a while, but it is not true. Stretching an injured muscle can make your pain and sprain worse. The injured tissues will break down instead of healing. It is best to rest and apply a cold or a hot compress for relief.

06/ ​Not stretching enough

Another important thing to keep in mind is to perform stretching exercises for a considerable amount of time. If you just perform two-three moves and think that it is enough then you are making the biggest mistake. You will only be able to reap the benefits of stretching by doing it for a good amount of time.