How to Increase Your Flexibility Fast

Stretching is just as important as exercise in terms of keeping your body healthy; in fact, the more flexible your muscles are, the more muscle you will have the potential to gain. Flexibility plays a vital role in preventing injuries and helping your body avoid ailments like arthritis and other serious conditions. Flexible, strong muscles will help you to achieve your maximum fitness level while making routine tasks less stressful on your body.

Instructions

    • 1

      Warm up your muscles with 10 to 20 minutes of cardiovascular activity or mild weightlifting. Stretching without warming up can cause injuries and will not be beneficial.

    • 2

      Concentrate on the major muscle groups of your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders. Stretch your muscle gradually, until you have gone as far as you can go without inducing pain. Hold the stretch for six seconds, then tighten the muscle being stretched and hold for another six seconds. Loosen the muscle, stretching a little further right away. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

    • 3

      Utilize this method of stretching for all your major muscle groups stretching both sides of your body evenly.

    • 4

      Create a stretching routine that is specific to your needs, for example if you play soccer and have tight hamstrings, spend more time on stretches for your hamstrings.

    • 5

      Maintain your routine, stretching at least three times a week. You may reach new levels of flexibility, but if you discontinue regular stretching you will end up back at square one.