A healthy and flexible body is a dream of many, but very few of us actually take steps to improve the muscles in our bodies. Agile and flexible muscles not only keep us fit but also reduce soreness and other complications.
Often, after an intensive workout, our muscles get tired and start to ache. This happens usually within 24-48 hours of working out. So what do you do to maintain your body? Here are seven tips and tricks to make your muscles more agile and flexible.
1. Dancing
Dancing can greatly make your muscles work out and let you have fun. For the ones who hate hitting the gym or doing cardio exercises all day, a regular dance workout can be an ideal alternative. Many celebrities and fitness enthusiasts even swear by it!
If you wish, you can alternate between different dance forms and choose one that suits your style the best. This form of exercise is great for increasing muscle flexibility and can be done in the comfort of your home.
2. Maintaining posture
This isn’t really an exercise or workout session but maintaining a good posture can keep your muscles fit in the long run. Nowadays, we all slouch in front of our TV or computer screens for hours. This increases the chances of stiff and sore muscles.
Any time you do body movements, such as driving or working, be aware of how your body is seated. You can simply correct your posture by sitting up straighter and maintaining a straight back.
3. Flexibility training
Another good way to improve flexibility is to include some flexibility training in your regular workout sessions. Stretching and foam rolling are the most common forms of flexibility training but you can ask your gym instructor for some good alternatives too.
Include these training sessions in your warm-up or cool-down time before and after your regular workout sessions. Not only will this help you to loosen up the muscles after gymming but also keep you healthier.
4. Yoga
One of the best forms of flexibility improvement is to practice yoga daily and dedicatedly. Yoga nourishes both your mind and your body. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or any form of stress, try to incorporate yoga into your daily schedule.
Even if you practice just for 10-15 minutes each day, you will see a marked improvement in your muscles and mood. Put on some calming music or listen to a yoga session on Youtube and try to follow the instructor there.
5. Neck stretching
Neck stretching ensures that you do not suffer from diseases like cervical spondylitis or other issues. Neck problems have often become a lifestyle disease because of the way we sit and sleep throughout the day.
Every day, stretch your neck and perform some mild exercises to increase flexibility in your neck muscles. Roll your neck clockwise and then go anticlockwise. Move your neck from left to right and repeat about 20 times.
6. Tai chi
Tai chi is kind of like meditation in motion. Like yoga, this also helps you to keep a healthy mind, along with a healthy body. Tai chi leads to a calming effect on your brain that in turn, allows your muscles to relax and move flexibly.
It also helps you to sharpen your reflexes and become quicker. The speed at which you move from one movement to the next one greatly determines how healthy your muscles will be. With more practice, you will see greater benefits.
7. Stretching
Stretching is an age-old practice of keeping yourself fit. It requires almost no fancy equipment and can be done almost anywhere. The best part about stretching is that you won’t even have to spend any extra time doing it- just practice a few stretches when your morning coffee is brewing in the kitchen.
If you like working out at night, you can do so after returning home from work. Even if you don’t see any improvements right away, stretching is very useful long-term.
Over to you…
Workouts that are designed to improve muscle flexibility and agility may take a bit of time to show results. But that’s often the best part because you need to keep practicing these exercises every day. The key is to put these tips into practice and be patient.
However, if you feel that you’re suffering from a serious medical condition, it’s always best to consult a doctor right away.
