In many exercise programs, be it weight lifting for building and toning muscles or cardio vascular exercises for increasing stamina and to lose weight, most people do not perform enough stretching exercises even though stretching exercises can be performed by anyone at any age unless that person has some physical restriction to stretch.

Stretching exercise after the workout has yet another important role to play. After workout, the blood circulation fastens and body temperature increases. Some exercises cause muscle tightening. A 30-60 second stretch cools the body down and relaxes the muscles.

Stretching is a key component of a balanced exercise program: Performing stretching exercises daily can increase flexibility and maintain healthy joints. Regular flexibility exercises can make activities of daily living easier and improve physical activity.

When performed regularly, stretching exercises will help you gain agility which will make your daily chores more pleasant and if you play sports, you will notice your agility is much better than others who do not stretch. This will put you in a more beneficial position against your opponents.

Piriformis stretch is responsible for lateral rotation of the hip. It is particularly important to athletes who have to change route such as tennis players and running backs in football. But though runners run straight ahead, keeping the piriformis muscle loose is important for overall flexibility.

As well consider looking at books that center on stretching. Some books will feature pages of different stretching exercises to try with good illustrations and steps that are easy to realize. Make sure that you take a book that displays stretches for a lot of various parts of the body, instead a book that only centers on upper legs or body.

Go up with a few stretching routine to do everyday that includes stretching your arms, legs, back, and neck. By taking this time in the morning to do some stretching, you will find out that you get more energy in the morning and are able to get started faster and with a more positive mind-set on the day.

Several studies suggest that regular physical activity among older adults can prevent much loss of muscle mass. For example, in one study of 22 active older men, their fat-free mass a measurement of the amount of muscle tissue did not change over 6 years.

Don’t forget that the arms should move naturally, without you interfering in any way. Do the exercise in a continuous movement, without pausing. Build up the torque and speed from the upper body and hips GRADUALLY. Doing this will make the hands to slap your sides and the arms to swing wider.

Stretching can be a great way to stay in shape even if you do not have time for a daily rigorous weight or exercise regime. Exercise and weight lifting equipment can be very costly. Joining the local gym can also dip deeply into your pocketbook. Stretching can be done at home without any special equipment. If you follow the illustrated stretching exercise guide very carefully, and stretch every muscle in your body, you will see a dramatic improvement, in most cases, after only a month.

If you are looking for a good way to shed some energy and help your body at the same time, consider stretching. Look into an illustrated stretching exercise guide and start helping your body feel as great as it possibly can.