Flexibility Training

No matter what your lifestyle, flexibility training will prove useful in keeping you fit and also give you a sense of well-being. Today, when everyone wants to have six pack abs and increase their lean muscle mass, flexibility training is ignored. Many fitness experts believe that a well designed flexibility training program will prove as a vital tool in helping people achieve their fitness goals. These experts believe that flexibility is important for strengthening and toning the muscles. The benefits of this training is not restricted to sports person, flexibility exercises for seniors will help them deal with aches and pains in their joints and muscles.

The routine can be divided into two parts, lower body flexibility exercises and upper body exercises. This way you can do one set of exercises on one day and workout the other half of the body on the next day. Here are some flexibility workouts for your perusal.

Chest : Stand next to a wall or a pole and place your right palm against the surface so that there is nothing in front of you. Now slowly push your body forward and feel a stretch in your right chest region, go as forward as possible and hold position for a 15 count. Repeat the stretch with your left palm against the surface.

Shoulder : Grab a pole or your friends shoulder behind your back, so that your arm is parallel to the floor. Make sure that your arm is fully extended and is not bent at the elbow. Now slowly lean as forward as you can and hold the position for a count of 20, repeat the motion with the other arm.

Tricep : Extend your right arm in front of you so that the palm is facing up and arm is parallel to the floor. Bend your arm at the elbow and try and touch your shoulder with the fingers. Now support your right elbow with the palm of your left hand and lift it up so that it is perpendicular to the floor. Hold position for 15-20 count and repeat action with left arm.

Back : Get down on your all fours and dig your palms and knees in to the floor. Now push your tummy towards the floor and tilt your head behind and look straight ahead. Hold position for 15 count make sure you maintain normal breathing when you are doing this exercise.

Bicep : Stand parallel to a wall arm length away and place your palm against the wall so that the fingers are pointing towards the floor. Slide your arm up against the wall so that its almost at head level, make sure your arm is fully extended and you are feeling strain in your biceps. Hold position for a 15 count and repeat motion with other arm.

Legs : Stand straight with your back against the wall for support, now lift your right leg by bending it at the knee. Grasp your right knee and pull it towards your chest, hold the position for a 20 count and repeat motion with your left leg.

Being flexible will help you avoid aches, pains and muscle soreness in your daily activities, it doesn't matter if you are an athlete or a desk jockey. Here are some of the benefits.

• Helps avoid muscle cramps and soreness.
• Improves the range of motion in your joints.
• Increases your physical fitness levels.
• Improves blood circulation to the tissues and muscles.
• Flexibility training also strengthens the muscles and the tendons.

In physical therapy, flexibility training is used to help people deal with muscle and joint injuries. Incorporating these exercises in your daily routine is a good idea, as these routine will help you stay fit.