A little goes a long way.
Stretching is like watering your plants; It doesn’t take long, and you can certainly overdo it, but it’s important to do it regularly if you want to see growth.
Like any form of exercise, consistency is vital for flexibility. While you may notice immediate improvements after one stretching session, to see those long-term improvements in your range of motion you have to stick to it. But how much stretching is enough?
According to experts, to see improvements in your flexibility, you should be stretching 2-3 times per week minimum. Each of these sessions should hit every major muscle-tendon group— the neck, shoulders, chest, trunk, low back, hips, legs and ankles. But it doesn’t have to be for long. About 30-60 seconds per flexibility exercise will do, so even 5 minutes of stretching is great. The key component here is consistency.
Although 2-3 stretch sessions per week has been shown to have results, more frequent stretching (about 6 days a week) has been shown to have the best results. If you have some big goals like touching your toes or landing your splits, you probably want to aim closer to this number.
Looking for stretching videos to meet your weekly stretch goals? Checkout the on-demand video library! We have over 75 flexibility training videos that range in length and focus. With the on-demand library, you stretch at your desk between meetings, on a nice walk, or even from your bed.
The bottom line: frequency is key. Find an amount that’s realistic for you, and stick to it! Discover ways to incorporate little movement snacks throughout your day, and you’ll see your flexibility improve in no time.
Need a little guidance building a routine? Book a free discovery call with me here.