As we age, flexibility becomes a major part of our health. Previous injuries, lack of activity, and postural changes all are directly related to the amount of flexibility we have. If you choose not to take care of this, you will lose it more and more over time. As your flexibility decreases, you will have a harder time straightening up, standing up, touching your toes, and moving in general.
Types of Flexibility
Most people don’t realize there are different types of flexibility. A more general form of flexibility is yoga. Yoga is great for lengthening muscles and increasing range of motion. Another type of flexibility is corrective stretching. Corrective stretching involves finding joints that are tight and loosening them up with a combination of stretching and strengthening. Corrective stretching is much more specific and is individualized for that person instead of general stretching, such as in a class setting.
Components of a Joint
If you have a joint that has become tight and unstable, stretching may be the last thing you want to do for it. When a joint has become tight, the tightness is obviously in one of the surrounding muscles. What most people don’t realize is that when one muscle gets tight, often an opposing muscle gets weak and loose. It makes sense if you think about it. If one muscle tightens up around a joint, the other muscles are going to be needed as much. The muscles provide stability to the joint, but if they aren’t needed, they won’t be used.
Strength Training for Flexibility
Doing strength training to increase flexibility sounds like an oxymoron, and normally it is. However, if you strengthen the proper muscles, often times other muscles will loosen up, therefore increasing your flexibility. It may be odd at times, but if you want to increase flexibility to particular joints, but haven’t been able to see the results of it, give our program a try. You will be amazed at how a well structured, corrective stretching program will increase flexibility at a more rapid pace than normal stretching.