Cool Down Stretches

 

On completion of your workout or sporting activity, it's important to bring your heart rate back down slowly and gradually prior to easing into a number of suitable stretches.

In your cool down period, keep moving such as walking at the end of your run, to prevent your muscles from becoming locked up by blood pooling - (basically poor blood flow).

It's worth wearing warm clothing if it's cold, in order to keep the muscles warm prior and during your stretching.

Hold each stretch for a minimum of 20-30 seconds, breath comfortably, with deep breaths through your nose, and out via your mouth.

Below you'll find a number of our favourite stretching exercises that we know help to alleviate not only potential injuries, but also to maximise the stretch for that muscle group.

Try all of them, but do not put too much pressure on your muscles for the first stretch. We have also graded them to help you understand which may be the best for you to try first.

The more time you spend stretching your body, the greater the understanding you will have of the benefits that your giving it.

Easy Calf Raise Down

1. Stand on a raised platform, on the balls of your feet, holding onto a secure object for balance.

2. Exhale, slowly dropping your heels down towards the floor and allowing your toes to raise naturally.


This movement can be performed using either one or both feet.


Click on the following page links to learn how to stretch all of your major muscle groups

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