It’s not dying you should be afraid of… it’s lacking range of motion. Stretching can either be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on your approach. In this article we’ll look deeper into how you can use GymnasticBodies to improve your mental and physical approach to stretching. Whether you’re an athlete or simply searching for a way to look better, feel great, and move optimally, the GymnasticBodies Stretch Series should be at the top of your priority list.

When addressed correctly, flexibility training will improve your athleticism, make you less prone to injury, kick your strength into high gear, and promote healthy movement patterns. If approached with too much force and impatience, stretching can severely hinder your gains and even put your training to a halt!

This quick and simple guide to monitoring your stretching approach and intensity will keep your flexibility steadily improving.

Don’t Wreck Yourself While Stretching...

The title of the article holds true but you can also take stretching too far. Coach Christopher Sommer, owner and founder of GymnasticBodies, often reminds his athletes that stretching is simply a matter of showing up and going through the motions. When you’re stretching, it’s important to dial it back and relax. This isn’t strength work and pushing it too hard can slow down your progress by making muscles too sore to train the next day. Going too far while stretching can even injure you. Make sure you're stretching at a mild to moderate intensity. On a scale from 1-10, your discomfort should be no more than a 5.

You can achieve flexibility like this using the GB Stretch Series!

Pushing too hard defeats the purpose. Instead, you want stretching to complement and help increase the gains of your next workout. Oftentimes, beginners will increase their stretching intensity because their progress feels too slow. It’s important to take a deep breath and remember that slow progress is still progress. Practice relaxing during each stretch session and learn to love the process.

Taking a calmer, more casual approach to your stretching will provide a mental reprieve from the demands of your regular workouts and responsibilities. Use this time to relax your mind and your muscles. Many athletes look forward to this change of pace so take time for yourself and allow the stretching to take over.

Seek Out Expert Instruction

With the follow along workouts from the GymnasticBodies Stretch Series, you will literally be stretching your entire body alongside Coach Sommer and his athletes. Coach Sommer’s expert guidance throughout each series will help you know exactly how hard to work and, more importantly, when to dial the intensity back. If you are going through our Stretch Courses you can be sure that we will be there to offer support. Have a question about how to perform a stretch? You can check out the technique tip videos for clarity or submit a video to our complimentary video review service. These resources will keep you stretching properly, promoting proper execution and long-term success with your flexibility training.

Train First, Stretch After

Sometimes you might have to strength train and stretch on the same day. Be sure you complete your other daily workout BEFORE you stretch. Not only will it help you perform better during the strength workout, but stretching afterward will promote better recovery. If you’re stretching properly by relaxing into each position and not pushing anything, then you will feel calm after the session. Remember not to rush your progress, because patience with your stretching will yield the greatest improvements in your flexibility.

Use the GymnasticBodies Stretch Series to safely and effectively incorporate flexibility training into your weekly fitness routine and you’ll surely see improvements in your mobility, recovery, and functional strength!