Stretching is very important to do both before and after your workout–especially if it is a tough one! In order to minimize the soreness or pain your body experiences, it is important to stretch right after you complete your workout! Since there are so many great stretches out there that you can do, you might find it hard narrowing down the list! So, that’s what we are here for! Here is a quick and easy stretching routine that you can follow after a tough workout! We promise once you have completed each one of the stretches, your body will feel refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for another workout!
The butterfly stretch is the perfect stretch to start with because it activates many different parts of your body! Be sure to bring the souls of your feet together and try to bring your knees as close to the ground as you can. You will feel the stretch in your groins, hips and thighs! Hold this stretch for as long as you want.
From the butterfly position, keep one leg in the same bent position and move the other one out in front of you. As you bend your upper body and reach towards the foot in front of you, you will feel the stretch in your calves and hamstrings! This is a great stretch that we promise has many benefits! Hold each leg for 30-60 seconds!
After switching legs, now it is time to really feel the burn and stretch your glutes and IT band. This stretch involves you pulling the knee of the leg that is crossed over the other one that is straight on the ground towards your body. If you do this one correctly, it will feel great and help a ton to loosen up the muscles in your hip! Hold each leg for 30-60 seconds!
If your lower back is sore, this is the perfect stretch that you need to do! Lay back on the ground and cross one leg straight over your body, leaving the knee at a 90º angle. Once you have done this, grab your foot that is on the ground. This will be sure to stretch out your back, hips and IT bands and quads and will have you feeling flexible again in no time! Hold each leg for 30-60 seconds! You’ll love this one!
These stretches will be sure to release any further tension in your back! They are relaxing and easy to do, so make sure you do them as part of this routine as many times as you want and need.
This stretch will be sure to target those calves of yours and will loosen up any soreness there. Walk it out as many times as you need! From there, walk your hands back to your feet and slowly roll up so you are standing up straight.
While balancing on one leg, pull one knee close to you to stretch the hamstring of that leg. When you are done holding this stretch for 30-60 seconds–or for however long you can balance for–switch legs and repeat the stretch for the opposite hamstring. After doing this stretch, grab the food of one leg behind you and pull in close to your glutes. This will be sure to stretch your quad and loosen you right up! Be sure to switch legs and hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds!
This will be sure to stretch your inner thighs and groins which is important so you can increase your mobility and decrease your soreness after your workout!
Bring one arm across your body and hold it for 30-60 seconds with your other hand. After switching arms, shake them out and shake out your legs and you should feel much better than before! We promise this routine will help you a ton if you do it well and listen to your body! Focus on parts of your body that are sore and take more time doing those stretches so they don’t remain sore for longer than necessary!
Ah, Windham. The perfect middle ground between South and Central (its official designation actually switches between the two), The Windy…
Growing up is scary. You want to get older and older and older and all you want is to be…
Whether you’re a serial monogamist just in between gigs or the dedicated Samantha of your friend group, when it comes…
Panhellenic Council has caught your interest, you’ve gone to the Greek fairs, and submitted your application for recruitment at SJU.…
It’s evident that USC has a beautiful campus. To most, USC campus is well-known for McCarthy Quad, Cromwell field, the…
With the variety of majors and lifestyles that Johnnies have, everyone’s day is obviously a little different—but every Johnny shares…
