Flexibility Workouts

Remember, as kids, how easily we used to do splits and how in general we were so flexible? But as we grow up, our bodies become stiff. Unless we make an extra effort to maintain the flexibility of our body, we won't retain the flexibility which was the characteristic of our childhood. Flexibility workouts are great for keeping your joints and muscles in a good shape and the 'Oohs and the ouches' at a later stage. In addition to that, flexibility exercises enhance the range of your movements. There are a lot more benefits of flexibility workouts. They generally comprise stretching exercises. The following would give you a fair idea of what is a flexibility work out.

Flexibility Exercises

Upper Body Flexibility Exercises
Stretch 1- Chest and Shoulders: You can do this by either kneeling or standing. Clasp your hands behind your back and then straighten the arms. Then raise your arms as high as possible and then bend forward from the waist.

Stretch 2- Arms across Chest: Place an arm straight across your chest. Place your hand on your elbow and pull your arms towards the chest. Retain the stretch for a few seconds and repeat and then change the arm.

Stretch 3-Triceps: For this, position one of your hands behind the back with elbow hung in the air. Now gently pull that hand in the direction of your head. Retain the stretch and do the same with the other arm.

Chest and Ab Stretch on Exercise Ball: This is a perfect exercise to stretch your abdomen and chest. For this lie with your face up on the ball and roll until your neck, back and head are supported properly by the exercising ball. Follow it up by relaxing your hips and letting your arms fall out to the sides for a comfortable and relaxing chest stretch. Hold in this position for a few seconds and repeat this stretch as many times as you want to.

Body Stretch on the Exercise Ball: To do this, first sit on the exercise ball and roll ahead till you get an incline. Now straighten your legs, stretching your body back with arms over the head. Now drape yourself over the ball, with your head relaxed and your arms hanging towards the floor. After that relax and breathe and hold your breath for at least 15 seconds. This is one of the best exercises to improve flexibility.

Lower Body Flexibility Exercises
Glute Stretch: Sit on the floor with your right leg bent and place right foot over left leg. Now place the left arm over your right leg, so the elbow can prove useful to push the right knee. Keep the stretch and repeat on the other side.

Adductor Stretch: For this, first stand with your feet wide apart, as much as comfortable. Then shift your weight on a side as the knee bends. Now reach towards the foot which is extended and hold. Now do that again on the opposite side.

Ham String: Sitting on the floor, bend a single foot and keep the other straight. Ensure that the bent one goes into your thighs. Now bend in front, at the waist, but keep your back flat. Repeat with the other leg as well.

Standing Quadraceps: Stand erect and bend one of your legs behind at the back. Now grab the bottom of that leg, just above the ankle and pull it towards your buttocks, while pushing your hips out. Now in this position, your thigh should ideally be perpendicular to the ground. Be in this position for a few seconds and repeat the same exercise with the other leg.

Calf Stretch: Stand with your feet about 18 inches apart in front of each other. Now keep your back leg straight with heels firmly on the floor. If you want to increase the stretch, push against a wall. Switch to the other leg after holding this position for some time.

Lying Quad Stretch: To do the quad stretch, first sit on the floor with left leg bent behind you and right leg bent in front. Leaning to the right on your forearm, with abdomen engaged. Then grabbing the heel of your left foot with your left hand, pull the heel towards your glutes. This will create a stretch in front of the thigh. Hold this position up to 30 seconds and then flip the side. This is a must when it comes to workouts for flexibility and stretching exercises.

These were few exercises included in flexibility workouts. There are a few more, however, these are supposedly the most effective in case of a strength and flexibility workout. In addition to these, a few yoga postures can be a significant part during flexibility workouts.

Finally after telling you a host of exercises for flexibility workouts, I am going to sign off, lest I stretch your patience with my words!