You know you should stretch before working out but don’t want to take the time. You’re busy and want to start exercising right away. We understand. So we’ve created a package of essential stretches that you can complete in five minutes or less. It can make the difference between a limber body that’s ready for exercise and one that is prone to injury due to tight muscles and limbs.
Latissimus muscles
15 to 30 seconds
Repeat three times
Assume a standing or sitting position with arms over your head, placing left hand on the right.
- Lean to the right while keeping your torso straight, noticing the stretch on the left side of your body.
- Repeat, this time with your right hand on the left and leaning to the left.
Calf muscles
15 to 30 seconds
Repeat twice
- Using your hands, balance against a wall, the back of a chair, a countertop or even a tree.
- Keeping your left leg straight, step back and push down with your heel.
- While gently jutting your hips forward, bend your right leg and feel your left calf stretching.
- Repeat on your right side.
Hamstring muscles
15 to 30 seconds
Repeat twice
- Lie flat on your back and stretch out your left leg, keeping your toes pointed upward.
- Bend your right knee and pull your right leg into a vertical position, while slowly straightening your knee.
- Work into a gentle stretch in the back of your leg, being careful to avoid injury by overextending, and repeat with your left leg.
Want more stretches? Download our Yoga Widget with a new pose every day.
filed in: Exercise & Fitness
subjects: exercise, fitness, yoga
