Why do stretches after a workout

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help create the best stretching routine for your fitness level. Request Appointment. Jan 20 th What are the Reasons for Stretching after Exercising? Stretching Improves Heart Function — Exercise gets your blood flowing which provides several important health benefits. Stretching correctly will help your heart return to a normal rate in a healthy manner. Stretching Reduces Lactic Acid — The body produces lactic acid whenever you exercise, which contributes to sore, achy muscles.

Stretching can help reduce the accumulation of lactic acid throughout the body. A cool-down routine will also decrease post-workout soreness. For more on Jeremey, check him out at JeremeyDuVall. For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! Do I need to stretch after I finish a workout? More Videos. Account My Account Sign Out.

While it may not always feel necessary, stretching is an imperative part of setting the stage for optimal recovery.

By stretching, you allow your body the chance to gradually slow down your heart rate to its normal state, cool down the proper way, and more effectively break down of lactic acid — all of which set the stage for muscle recovery and repair, improve future range of motion and flexibility, and begin to increase blood circulation back to the muscles. Nearly all workouts include some sort of leg movement, so this is an easy stretch you can do to help relieve tightened leg muscles especially after long cardio sessions or kickboxing.

The legs also play a role in a lot of tension that can be felt in the lower back, so stretching these areas can provide prevention and relief of flares to the sciatic nerve as well. The arms, and especially the wrists, are often overlooked after many routines.

The wrist is one of the most complex joints in the body, and allows a wide range of movement particularly for bodyweight and upper body exercises and movements.

If you perform activities including push-ups, planks, mountain climbers or a lot of circuit training or bootcamp exercises, these stretches can be so vital in maintaining and improving wrist mobility, as well as providing some recovery to the upper and lower arms.

In addition to relaxing and calming the brain and the body, as well as increasing flexibility, it and decompresses the spine, hips, core, ankles while providing relief to the back and neck.