If you're going to be using a treadmill to burn fat and lose weight, then you'll want to make sure that you stretch your muscles before you begin. Stretching is important because it prevents injuries that could impede your performance.
Ideally, you will stretch right before you begin to walk on your treadmill and again afterwards. Stretching before your workout will help with your flexibility, and stretching afterward will also help prevent injury.
Here are some stretching tips to help you prevent injury to your muscles:
1. The first mistake many people make is to try and stretch too far. If you are in pain then you have stretched too far! It is much better to stretch to a position that you find comfortable, and then hold this stance for between 15 - 20 seconds.
2. Always remember to breathe while you are stretching. By practicing some deep breathing exercises while you stretch you will actually be able to give your muscles a much better workout.
3. Stretching is often seen as the warm up phase of exercise, but it's really important to warm your muscles before you stretch them, so it's a great idea to walk around or jog on the spot for a few minutes before you start to stretch.
4. When you have completed your work out take a nice warm bath or shower. The hot water will help to gently relax your muscles. By stretching after your bath or shower you will help to stop your muscles seizing up, as well as feeling wonderful!
5. You may have seen professional athletes bouncing while they stretch, but you should never ever do this! Bouncing during stretching exercises can actually cause serious injuries to your muscles rather than prevent injuries.
A lot of people assume that a treadmill will only exercise the leg muscles when in fact it delivers a full body workout. While it is important to stretch your calf muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings it is also extremely important to stretch muscles in other areas as well such as the shoulders, neck, back and abs.
Don't be scared to mix up your stretching exercises a bit. Instead of just trying to touch your toes, you can also try a number of other different stretches. Try doing the splits or some lunges, or even some calf stretches. Stand on the edge of a step and lower your heel over the edge, but remember to stop just before it gets painful.
Whenever you stretch, make your movements slow and precise for the best results. You want to keep some tension on the muscles to help them stretch, but never stretch to the point where you're in pain. - 15995
Ideally, you will stretch right before you begin to walk on your treadmill and again afterwards. Stretching before your workout will help with your flexibility, and stretching afterward will also help prevent injury.
Here are some stretching tips to help you prevent injury to your muscles:
1. The first mistake many people make is to try and stretch too far. If you are in pain then you have stretched too far! It is much better to stretch to a position that you find comfortable, and then hold this stance for between 15 - 20 seconds.
2. Always remember to breathe while you are stretching. By practicing some deep breathing exercises while you stretch you will actually be able to give your muscles a much better workout.
3. Stretching is often seen as the warm up phase of exercise, but it's really important to warm your muscles before you stretch them, so it's a great idea to walk around or jog on the spot for a few minutes before you start to stretch.
4. When you have completed your work out take a nice warm bath or shower. The hot water will help to gently relax your muscles. By stretching after your bath or shower you will help to stop your muscles seizing up, as well as feeling wonderful!
5. You may have seen professional athletes bouncing while they stretch, but you should never ever do this! Bouncing during stretching exercises can actually cause serious injuries to your muscles rather than prevent injuries.
A lot of people assume that a treadmill will only exercise the leg muscles when in fact it delivers a full body workout. While it is important to stretch your calf muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings it is also extremely important to stretch muscles in other areas as well such as the shoulders, neck, back and abs.
Don't be scared to mix up your stretching exercises a bit. Instead of just trying to touch your toes, you can also try a number of other different stretches. Try doing the splits or some lunges, or even some calf stretches. Stand on the edge of a step and lower your heel over the edge, but remember to stop just before it gets painful.
Whenever you stretch, make your movements slow and precise for the best results. You want to keep some tension on the muscles to help them stretch, but never stretch to the point where you're in pain. - 15995
About the Author:
Treadmill walking to lose weight is a terrific first step after you get those muscles stretched! Get treadmill workout strategies as well as indepth reviews of the best treadmills here.
