Amazing body benefits from dynamic stretching

Basic stretching is familiar to everyone.  From performing a shoulder, quadriceps, or hamstring stretch, these are examples of static stretching that simply involves extending your muscles to the full range of motion, then holding it at this position (usually for at least 10 seconds) helping to elongate muscle tissue.  Static stretching is the form of stretching that most often comes to mind when you think about what stretching is.  It has been and continues to be a popular type of warm-up for athletes and other exercise enthusiasts. 

What is dynamic stretching?

Dynamic stretching is a little different.  Dynamic movement stretches are designed to take a joint or muscle through a challenging and repetitive motion, moving a body part further with each repetition. It’s an ideal method of stretching prior to a sporting event or exercise to prepare the joints for movement and muscles for optimal activation. Examples of dynamic stretching would be performing arm circles, leg raises with momentum, or walking lunges. A dynamic stretch takes a specific movement and makes it a stretching activity, either by deliberate extension of the limb and corresponding muscle groups or through other precise ranges of motion.

A main benefit of using dynamic stretching before a sporting event or fitness routine is that it uses motions similar to those of what an athlete does therefore effectively simulating the performance experience. As an example, someone who will be playing soccer would do dynamic stretches of doing kicks before the game.  This helps to effectively warm-up the limbs and body to anticipate the specific moves that will be made when playing the game.

Benefits of dynamic stretching

Here are other benefits dynamic stretching provides making it ideal to use as the core of a warm-up routine for anyone, athlete or not:

·      It activates the muscle you plan on using during a workout. For example, a lunge with a twist is a dynamic stretching exercise that engages your hips, legs, and core muscles. Whether you are doing weighted lunges in the gym, or lunging for a soccer ball, the muscles involved have already been engaged during your warm-up.

·      They help improve your range of motion. Each of us can feel stiff at times but if dynamic stretching is performed regularly, it makes simple things like bending over to tie your shoes easier since a dynamic workout routine limbers you up.

·      It improves body awareness. Moving through the motions of dynamic stretching challenges your balance and coordination, necessary skills not only for doing a sport but for daily activities.

·      By warming up in motion with dynamic stretching as opposed to static stretching, this enhances muscular performance and power.  Studies reveal that dynamic stretching before a workout can help you lift more weight and increase overall athletic performance compared to no stretching or static stretching.

Learn more about how to do a dynamic warm-up routine that requires no equipment - make it a regular part of your fitness routine.