8 Reasons Why You Should be Stretching

Words: Nathan Fabiano

Flexibility and mobility training are an essential, yet commonly overlooked aspect of fitness. Stretching can sometimes feel like a waste of time, but it’s actually so important for your body - and your mind. Plus, having a good stretching routine helps with your overall mobility capability which helps when balancing and using stabilising muscles while you’re surfing.

Here are 8 reasons why you should be stretching often. 

Reduced Pain and Stiffness

Muscular tightness and tension will most likely cause discomfort throughout the body. Although, studies have illustrated that performing static stretching often, can help reduce pain levels, decrease stiffness and possibly reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps. 

Reduce Wear and Tear on Joints

When muscles become increasingly tight and stiff, secondary muscles become weakened. As a result of this it causes extreme tension and stress onto other joints and structures within the body. By doing regular stretching, it will help ensure the muscles on both sides of the joint maintain an equal balance so that the joint is able to move effectively and efficiently, allowing for optimal movement. 

Increased Performance

Included in as part of a strength and conditioning program or resistance training regime, dynamic stretching, can help enhance power, agility, muscular strength and speed. 

Decreased Stress

Stress has been known to cause a variety of undesirable responses in the body, including enhanced feelings of fatigue, tension and anxiety. Consistent stretching can help reduce mental tension.

Improved Function

Due to repetitive movement patterns and imbalanced posture, muscles in the body can and will become chronically tight, tense and contracted, causing them to become weaker. Stretching done often and consistently with various flexibility and mobility training techniques helps aid in improving overall function by allowing the body to move efficiently to the stresses caused by different types of movement activity. 

Improved Blood Flow and Circulation

Flexibility and mobility training often can help aid blood flow and circulation throughout the body. As a result, it allows more efficient transportation of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. With increased circulation it can help with reducing inflammation and swelling and recovery for general health but also if you’re looking after an injury. 

Improved Health

Performing stretching exercises often, such as static stretching, PNF stretching and stretches from disciplines such as Pilates and yoga, can help reduce heart rate, breathing rate, reduce overall blood pressure and therefore decrease negative effects that stress may have on the body, like muscular tension. 

Better Surfing Performance! 

Now if you're reading this blog you more than likely have a passion or interest in surfing.

Putting stretching into your routine will help when balancing and using stabilising muscles while out in the surf. Your body will also learn to handle time under tension due to practicing stretching regularly, which is an essential part of being able to surf and surf well. You need to be able to adjust your body and place pressure on different parts of the board depending on the conditions of the day and incorporating stretching regularly reduces the likelihood of injury or discomfort. 

Speak to your physio or health professional about finding a stretching routine that is right for you. Now take a few minutes to get up from where you’re reading this and have a good old stretch!