Exercises to Increase Flexibility

One frequently overlooked aspect of your exercise routine - flexibility - is also one of the most important!  Flexibility refers to the range of motion that you can attain around a joint or a group of joints. Increasing your flexibility may not sound exciting, it can provide some pretty amazing benefits - like keeping your body thin and toned and even making you a better lover. That's because flexible, slender muscles allow your body to move in unexpected ways - plus, they're less prone to injury, too. Muscles also burn calories more effectively than fat does, so you'll actually get slimmer even while sitting still! The best time to engage in flexibility, or stretching exercises, is right after a workout, when your muscles are already loose. When stretching, hold each movement for ten to twenty seconds, making sure not to bounce the muscle you're working on. And although you should feel a slight pull in the muscle you're working on, you should never stretch to the point of pain! Another way to build flexibility is with a yoga or pilates class. Both of these exercises are designed to increase your range of motion, and can also promote feelings of serenity. If you start adding flexibility routines to your workout now, you'll see a a difference in just several weeks!