Posted: 10/14/2012 9:48:05 AM EDT
|
In the last year I've dropped about 40 pounds and am slowly raising my fitness level after a couple of decades of being very out of shape.
Strength and stamina are progressing OK but my flexibility is horrible. I stretch normally before, during, and after workouts but it just doesn't seem to get any better. I know that at 42 I'm not going to be as flexible as when I was young but I know I can improve. I have been riding a lot of MX lately and as my speed improves I fear injury from crashing and being so stiff. Any tips, ideas, or thought from anyone who has dealt with this issue would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. ERic |
|
Sheesh!
First, listen to your body. Pain has a reason: it's there to tell you when you are doing something that may damage your body. And how much damage you may do. Stretching is good, but remember that an older body heals (recovers) and adjusts (adapts) more slowly than a younger one. If you aren't 18 anymore, you shouldn't train like you did at 18, or expect to get the same high-speed results you got at 18. (Dang it!) That being said, stretching is uber-important, but you must do it right. NEVER stretch when you're "cold". Warm up first with some jogging or something aerobic that gets your blood moving and brings you to full operational status. NEVER bounce on a stretch. Every time you bounce you overstretch, and that just gives you an unlimited supply of micro-tears in the tissues you're stretching. Every one of those will impair your further progress, take time to heal, and heal less than 100% perfectly, thus limiting your future flexibility. Every stretch should be gentle but persistent––held for at least 10 seconds at maximum flexion. Lastly, I would say don't ever expect to "get flexible". It's a journey toward optimum that has no end. Take what you have and work with it, every day, then rinse & repeat. |