"Flexibility is the Key that Unlocks Fitness"

That is a powerful quote from The Wharton Stretch Book. You can look at fitness from living everyday life to doing an Ironman Triathlon. However you look at it, flexibility is the key to movement. Movement is the most basic part of doing what we do whether it's working, exercising, eating and playing (this can be considered exercising too. I am one that cannot exercise and I'm fortunate to be able to go out and play daily and people think that I'm exercising).

I just can't quit talking about stretching and how important it is in our lives. Here's an example of what I see in my practice. I see clients daily with tight pectoralis minor, anterior deltoid and biceps. You'd think they are some kind of athlete wouldn't you. No, they are people that spend a long time daily on the computer and hairstylists. They are working with there shoulders forward and the arms lifted thus shortening those muscles the entire time. This is BAD. It can also lead to the dreaded Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or just the symptoms. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that goes into the arm through pec minor. If pec minor is tight, it can squeeze those nerves causing numbness and tingling down in the hands. The solution is simple. Stretch those muscles out daily after doing that repetitive motion.

As athletes, we are constanly looking for a competitive advantage. Training more is usually always the first choice for us to get that advantage. When we go out and train more, we are shortening the muscles. It is imperative that we take time to stretch those muscles out. I hear over and over again "I just don't have time to stretch". I tell 'em you make time to do the things that are important to you. Stretching is one of those IMPORTANT things.

I have a client that is really busy. She is an athlete trying to balance workouts with work. She had gotten really tight and little injuries kept popping up. I told her that if she had 45 minutes to run, run 35 minutes and stretch ten. She has started that and she is getting amazingly loose. She didn't think it was possible.

If you want to run fast or bike fast, you have to loosen up those hips so you can create a faster turnover. Stretching the gluteal muscles and hip flexors are really important. When those things get out of balance, you'll see one hip higher than the other, the pelvis tilting one way or another and other abnormalities. When these things exist, you can still do what you do but injury is lurking in the darkness. You've gotta stretch.

So did you think that I was going to just leave you with no solutions. Here's the deal. If you have healthy muscle tissue, yoga is a great way to lengthen your muscles. If you have muscles that are severely tightened or injured, use Active Isolated Stretching for the best results. Look over to the sidebar on the right and you'll see links for The Wharton Stretch Book and Active Isolated Stretching with Aaron Mattes. These guys work with athletes and everyday people. They can help you get loose too.

Happy stretching to you.

Wear Out or Rust Out

Our bodies are absolutely incredible. They rival things like computers and jet planes yet we take them for granted. We know or expect that when we wake up everyday that it going to be there for us. Most of the time it is ready and willing to do whatever we want it to do. It is designed to move. Yes, movement is the only way to keep the body healthy. It is an absolute fact that we will rust out faster than we will wear out.

When we wake up feeling stiff and groggy, it is a signal to get out and do something. For some reason, our brain says sit down on the couch. That is a bad idea. We need to get moving. Movement gets the blood flowing. It gets the synovial fluid (lubricant for the joints) flowing. It activates the lymph system. These are the things that fight to keep our bodies healthy. We must not let the lure of the couch win. This is most important as we get older. We just can't let up. Get out and exercise. It is the absolute best way to enjoy those golden years.

Let's make some comparisons. We will begin with the benefits of exercise:
1. Weight loss
2. Healthier skin
3. Reduces blood sugar
4. Reduces blood pressure
5. Increases organ function
6. Strengthens the heart
7. Strengthens muscles
8. Improves self image
I am sure there are more but they won't come to me now. Feel free to add in the comments section.
Now let's look at the benefits of sitting on the couch. Hmmm, there aren't any. Let's look at what can happen.
1. Get fat
2. Blood pressure rises
3. Blood sugar rises
4. Joints stiffen
5. Decreased organ function
6. Arteries clog
7. Loss of muscle tissue
8. Self image declines

Get the picture? Now I'm not saying that if you exercise that none of the bad things can happen to you. I am saying that it greatly reduces the chances of premature aging and increases the chances that you will enjoy life to it's fullest.

Don't sell the furniture. Use it as a reward for a life well lived.
Summary: Stretch, exercise, eat right. Enjoy life. Wow, that sounds pretty simple huh?
We make a choice everyday. We are either living or dying. Think about it.