Flexibility & Balance Training Are Good For Your Health

Flexibility, Stretching and Balance training are often thought of as “lesser than” exercises, which couldn’t be further from the truth!  Flexibility is thought of as the amount of stretch that a muscle allows.  Stretching is defined as extending one’s muscle to it’s full length without tearing or breaking.  Balance can be described as the ability to maintain your center of gravity or remain upright while staying in control of your body movement.  Stretching exercises to help increase flexibility and balance should be a regular part of your exercise routine!

Vary Your Workouts For Optimal Results

Many people think of only cardio and strength training as exercise.  To achieve optimal physical health, it is recommended to incorporate strength, cardio (also known as aerobic or endurance), flexibility and balance exercises on a regular basis.  Personally, I used to be bored with flexibility and balance training through exercise classes such as Yoga or Pilates, and thought they were a waste of my limited exercise time.  However, as I have gotten older, I enjoy them more, possibly because I see the benefits.  I have recently suffered a few injuries that have prevented me from working out, and realize I need to take the time to stretch and work on my flexibility and balance to prevent further injuries.

Flexibility and Stretching

Flexibility and stretching are important because they allow your muscles to relax.  Flexibility training allows for easier, deeper movements while building stability and strength.  Stretching muscles and joints also leads to improved balance, greater range of motion, and increased flexibility. Tight muscles can lead to strain and stress on various body parts, and often progresses into injuries.

Yoga/Mindfulness

Yoga is an exercise form that combines stretching, balance and flexibility with mindfulness and breathing.  It is a mind/body practice that fosters balanced health emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally.  While I used to count the minutes during a yoga workout, I have learned to relax and enjoy the practice.  Purposefully slowing down, and focusing on my breathing has allowed me to relax and de-stress.  Yoga has grown on me and become more enjoyable, and also helped increase my flexibility and strength.  I have discovered I enjoy Pilates more or a combo of Yoga and Pilates.  It is important to enjoy what you are doing if you want to create consistency in your workouts.  I feel adding Yoga and Pilates to my workout routine has also helped prevent injury, and particularly with my left knee (I sprained my MCL and quadriceps a year ago).

Adding Yoga/Pilates to your Workout Routine

It took some time for me to relax and enjoy these slower-paced exercises; however, I now definitely notice the benefits.  They are not “easy” like I once thought, but build strength in a different way, a way that I have found to be less hard on my body as I age.  With that being said, I will always love running and bootcamp, and enjoy the “high” I feel from these intense cardio workouts.  Adding in Yoga/Pilates twice a week has helped me balance my workouts and surprisingly, I feel stronger.  I hope you consider adding in some stretching/flexibility/balance to your workout routine, and learn to enjoy them as much as I do.

Hugs & Health – Michelle

**Disclaimer:  Please always consult your physician before beginning this or any exercise program.