March 28, 2024

Stretch for Relaxation

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Seated Hamstring and Low Back Stretch

Ease muscle tension at the end of the day with this full body stretch. Begin seated on the floor with both legs out straight in front of you. Cross your right ankle over your left ankle and walk your hands forward, tuck your chin to your chest and bend forward from your low back. Hold for 2 to 3 deep breaths, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right ankle, walk your hands forward and ease into the stretch. Hold for 2 to 3 deep breaths, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

End-of-Day Total Body Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Total Body Stretch

Stretch your body into relaxation at the end of the day. Here’s how:

Begin seated with both legs out straight in front of you. Cross your right ankle over your left. Gently walk your hands forward bending your chest toward your knees. Hold for 10-20 seconds or 2 deep breaths, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right. Walk your hands forward, and hold for 10-20 seconds or 2 deep breaths, and then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Decrease upper body tension with this daily stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Do a Wrist Stretch Daily!

Ease every day arm and hand tension with this daily stretch for your wrists and fingers. Here’s how:

Sit up tall with your shoulders down and back. Place both hands together with your fingers pointing toward the floor. Gently press your palms together. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

 

Seated Stretch Made Easy

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Seated Hamstring Stretch

If you’ve been sitting for hours without a break, ease lower body muscle tension with this seated stretch. Sit with both legs out straight in front of you. Sit up tall, bend from your hips and reach both hands toward your toes. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. For an extra stretch, drop your chin toward your chest.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Feel-Good Leg Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Hamstring Stretch

Do this feel-good leg stretch after your next walking or running workout. Here’s how:

Begin standing straight facing a step, chair or railing. Lift up your right leg and place on object. Keeping your back straight, bend forward from your hips feeling a gentle stretch in the back of your right leg. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch with your left leg up. Bend forward slightly and hold for 10-30 seconds. Release.

 

*This stretch is for those without injury or balance concerns.

Seated Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Seated Hamstring/Low Back Stretch!

To reduce muscle tension in your back and legs, do this seated stretch. Here’s how:

Begin seated with your feet flat. Inhale, and walk your hands down your legs to the floor. Exhale, and walk your hands back up your legs to return to your seated upright position.

*Consult your physician before performing stretch. This stretch is not for those with injury concerns.

One Stretch to Relaxed

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Seated Low Back Stretch

Transition from work time to relaxation time with this Seated Low Back/Hamstring Stretch. Begin seated, then cross your right ankle over your left. Keeping your knees straight, tuck your chin into your chest and slowly walk your hands down your legs toward your ankles. Hold for 1-3 deep breaths, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right and walk your hands out toward your ankles. Hold for one breath, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Standing Side Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Side Stretch

Do this full body stretch daily to release muscle tension. Begin standing. Reach your right arm straight up overhead, gently lean to your left. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.  Next, reach your left arm straight up overhead, lean to your right. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Post-Cardio Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Kneeling Hip Stretch

Do this Kneeling Hip Stretch after logging a cardio workout. Here’s how to start:

Begin kneeling on your right knee, with your left foot forward and flat. Keep your torso upright and straight. Let your hips fall forward, feeling a gentle stretch in your right front thigh. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch kneeling on your left knee with your right foot forward and flat. Let your hips fall forward. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

 

All-in-One Shoulder Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Shoulder Stretch!

Stretch your shoulders to alleviate upper body muscle tension. Extend your right arm straight up overhead, and then bend your elbow and place your hand behind your head. Next, reach your left hand down and around your body to your low back. Walk both hands toward the center of your back. Keep your torso upright and your shoulders down and back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch with your left arm overhead, and your right arm by your low back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Never stretch into pain.

 

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.