We have read about the different components of fitness and have covered the first component- Body composition. The second component is flexibility.
You might feel the urge to skip this part because you might think, “Who writes an entire article about flexibility?”
But here is what you don’t know. Flexibility plays a vital role in fitness and there is so much you can benefit from flexibility about fitness.
What is flexibility?
Flexibility is defined as the ability of your joints and body parts to move easily with no restriction or pain. You are required to be flexible in almost all your day-to-day activities such as walking, lifting, and even sitting.
Being flexible allows your muscles to remain in motion without any discomfort.
Are you flexible?
Do you find it hard when asked to sit on the floor for a long period? Or when you are required to exercise and move all your limbs slightly beyond your daily range of motion, do you feel discomfort?
If your answer is yes, then you probably have some flexibility problems.
There are several ways to check whether you are flexible or not. One of the simplest ways, is to check if you can touch your toes while standing up with both legs straight – yes, without bending your knees.
You can also try to touch your toes while sitting down with your legs together straight ahead of you.
If you notice that you feel uncomfortable, stiff or have pain, we should work on your flexibility.
What happens if you are not flexible?
Here are some major disadvantages if you do not take care of your flexibility.
- If you exercise regularly, over time, your muscles will start to strain and they will feel start feeling sore. Your muscular balance will be disrupted which can lead to a bad posture, leading to getting injured easily.
- There will be a decrease in transport of blood and nutrients to tissues. By stretching, you increase the temperature of your tissues and this in turn increases transportation of nutrients and the overall blood circulation.
- You will be easily prone to lower back pain. Stretching helps relax muscles. The less flexible your pelvic muscles, triceps, biceps and hamstring, the more strain and stress is on your lower back.
- You will feel fatigue in your muscles easily while performing the simplest of tasks, leading to both physical and mental tiredness.
How can you improve and increase being flexible?
The best way to maintain your flexibility is to stretch regularly. Whatever your age, you must try and practice stretching at least once a day.
Even if it is not part of a regular exercise regimen, there are several simple stretching exercises that you can do at work or while sitting in front of the TV or at your work desk.
By doing so, you can improve both the quantity and quality of your muscles, joints and overall health.
Another great way to complement your exercise routine for greater flexibility is through Yoga.
Unlike most exercises that focus only on a physical perspective, yoga involves both your mental and physical capabilities. Yoga aids in improving your flexibility, toning your muscles, and improving your lung capacity through breathing exercises.
Although both stretching and exercise help a lot, you also need to keep an eye put on your diet and nutrition.
Eating junk food and snacking on fatty and sugary snacks can make things much worse.
You can promote fitness by eating healthier food of fruits and vegetables that strengthen your bones and muscles.
Some things to remember
- Warm up before you start your stretches. Try a few simple breathing exercises. Take deep breathes: Inhale and Exhale slowly and stay relaxed.
- Choose stretches that you are comfortable with and perform them nicely. Gradually increase the intensity of your stretches and exercises.
- Don’t try to overdo it: Even if it might seem simple, do your stretches for a limited time (20-30 minutes a day)
- Though it might be challenging at first, it will get easier if you practice regularly!
After a few weeks, you will find yourself less tired, more energetic and you will be able to do tasks much easier. You will have a boosted stamina and any cramps or muscle sores will vanish.
Incorporating a few minutes for your body everyday will have a lot of benefits. There are more levels to fitness which we will talk about, from muscles to different kinds of exercises and what kind of workouts you can pick up.
But that is for another day…
Until then, stay healthy, think healthy and be healthy!
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