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

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:

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.

Standing Side Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Standing Inner Thigh and Hamstring Stretch

Do this stretch for runners after your next workout. Begin standing and pull your right foot up in front of your belly button. Move your right knee to the side of your body. Hold your lower leg and ankle with both hands, keeping  your lower leg parallel to the floor. Keep your torso straight and shoulders back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat pulling your left foot up in front of your body. Using both hands hold your left calf and ankle, letting your knee fall to the side. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise. This stretch is for those without injury concerns.

Stretch for Runners

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Side Bend Stretch.

Release muscle tension in your back and shoulders by doing this stretch daily. Stand up. Reach both arms straight up overhead. Lean to your right and hold for 10-20 seconds, release. Lean to your left and hold for 10-20 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Release muscle tension with this stretch

Chest and Front Shoulder Stretch!

If you sit at a computer most of the day, or are hunched over a desk for hours on end, do this stretch a few times every day:

Inhale and lace your fingers behind your head. Exhale, pull your shoulders down and back, and elbows wide. Hold for a count of 10, then release.

Not only does this stretch ease tension in your neck due to pulling your shoulders back correcting posture, but you’ll also decrease low back tension due to sitting up straight with your spine aligned and upright.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Sit a desk all day? This stretch is for YOU!

Lying Hamstring Stretch!

Add this hamstring stretch into your workout. Stretching your hamstrings can reduce stress on the low back. Flexible hamstrings allow you to sit, walk, stand and function in neutral posture and proper spinal alignment. Here’s how to do it:

Lie on your back, with the back of your leg close to a door frame or wall. Place your right heel up on the door frame, keeping your knee straight. Extend your left leg straight out on the floor. Inhale and pull your toes down toward the floor. Exhale and hold for ten to thirty seconds, then release. Repeat placing your left heel up on the door frame, keeping your knee straight. Inhale, pull your toes down toward the floor. Exhale, hold for ten to thirty seconds, then release.

*Always consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Add this stretch into your workout

Get Fit Quick Tip:

Front Shoulder and Chest Posture Stretch!

Stretch Break: Stand up. Place both hands behind your head. Pull your shoulders down and back. Next, pull your elbows wide. Hold for 10-30 seconds. Now set your phone alarm to signal in 2 hours for your next Stretch Break!

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Posture Stretch

Get Fit Quick Tip:

At your desk posture stretch!

Sit forward in your chair with both feet flat. Inhale and reach both arms straight up overhead. Lace your fingers with your palms facing down. Exhale, lean to your right. Inhale, return to the center. Exhale, lean to your left. Inhale, return to the center. Exhale, lower your arms. Repeat 2-3 times.

Stretching reduces muscle tension, and the deep breathing reduces stress. Perform this stretch a few times each day for physical and mental benefits!

*Consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Desk Posture Stretch

Single Knee to Chest Stretch

Stretch Break: To ease lower body tension, perform this stretch. Lie on your back with both legs straight on the floor. Using both arms, gently pull your right knee in toward your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. With both arms gently pull your left knee into your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stretch Break