Exercising is an excellent way to maintain your weight, improve your heart health and boost your mood, and the majority of people understand that stretching before setting out on an intense cardio routine is important. However, only a small group of people are stretching correctly. If you don't stretch properly you increase your chance for an injury. Make sure you know how to stretch correctly.

Too Much, Too Soon

If you haven't worked out in years, chances are you wouldn't sign up for a triathlon. The reason for this is that you are not physically prepared to perform at that level. It takes time to reach this type of ability. Keep the same frame of mind when stretching.

When you first start off, take it slow. For example, instead of trying to touch your toes, aim for the middle of your calf. If you feel intense pain while stretching this means you're pushing your body too far, too soon. The more you stretch, the more flexible you will become.

Cancel The Bounce

Particularly when it comes to post workout stretching, some people feel the need to bounce or jog in place as they transition from stretch to stretch. The thought is that by keeping the body in motion, the heart rate stays up and you keep your body in the fat-burning zone.

Even though the intentions come from a good place, performing these movements defeats the purpose of stretching. Stretching is intended to help repair, condition and relax your muscles and tendons. Performing high-impact movements while stretching prevents the muscles from going into this relaxed state.

Stretching Too Quickly

For most people, even finding the time in the day to exercise is challenging. For this reason, getting the stretch over and getting on with the workout as quickly as possible is important. However, you want to make sure you aren't stretching too fast.

Stretching too quickly almost always means that you will have poor form. Poor form basically makes your stretch less than effective and can also cause you to injure yourself. While there isn't necessarily an exact number of minutes you should stretch, slow down and take your time for the best results.

If exercising seems to bring you pain, your stretching technique might be to blame. If you aren't stretching correctly, you could be causing more harm than good. A physical therapy professional can assist you with working through the pain and improving your stretching technique. Physical therapy and rehabilitation is even available in places like Holly Heights Nursing Home.