Assisted Hamstring Stretch

If the traditional lying down hamstring stretch is uncomfortable for you, use a towel to assist your stretch. Hamstring flexibility is important for function. That means we need a certain degree of flexibility at the hamstring to be able to sit down in neutral posture with correct lumbar spinal alignment. Instead of adding tension to your upper body to move into the correct stretch position, put your workout towel to good use as a stretching aid. Simply wrap a towel around the arch of your foot, then hold the towel with each hand on the side of your body. Having this extra leverage allows you to keep your elbows closer to the floor, decreasing the tension or stretch in your neck.

Assist Your Hamstring Stretch

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.

Feel-Good Leg Stretch

Front Thigh Stretch

The Front Thigh Stretch is a great exercise to do at the end of your walk, run or bike ride. Here’s how:

Begin standing tall with your feet together. Next, take a step back about 3 feet with your right foot. Lower your right knee down toward the floor until you feel a stretch in the front of your right hip and thigh. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch by stepping back with your left foot about 3 feet, and lower your left knee toward the floor. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Post-Workout Stretch

Side Lunge Stretch

Do a Side Lunge Stretch to stretch your inner thigh, hamstring and calf muscles after a leg-day workout. Here’s how:

Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width. Keeping both feet flat, bend your right knee and lunge to your right side. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Next, bend your left knee and lunge to your left side. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Do this stretch after a leg-day workout

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.

Seated Stretch

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.

One Stretch to Relaxed

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.

Post-Cardio Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Hip Stretch

Do this post-run standing stretch to ease tired legs.

Stand on your right leg only. Cross your left ankle over your right knee, bend both hips and sit back into the stretch. Hold on for safety and balance. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, then release. Repeat crossing your right ankle over your left knee, bend both hips and sit back feeling a gentle stretch in your tights and hips.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Standing Hip Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Stand and Stretch!

Don’t have time to sit or stretch on the floor? You don’t need too! Do this standing stretch to ease sore legs and back tension. Stand on your right leg only. Keeping your torso straight, lift your left leg up. Using one or both arms hug your knee in toward your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat standing on your left leg only.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Stand and Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Hamstring Stretch

Been sitting a lot? Stretch your hamstrings a lot!

Begin standing, facing a step or chair. Place your right foot up on the chair. Keeping your back straight, bend forward slightly from your hips. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch placing your left foot up on the chair. Bend forward from your hips, hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Sitting all day? Do this stretch…