Stretching
Whether you're a serious
competitor or weekend warrior, you know that proper stretching
before and after your workout can improve your performance,
increase your flexibility, help prevent injury, and make you feel
better. But did you know that the traditional way of stretching --
lock your knees, bounce, hold, hurt, hold longer -- actually makes
muscles tighter and more prone to injury? There's a new and better
way to stretch: Active-Isolated
Stretching, a groundbreaking technique, developed by
researchers, coaches, and trainers, and pioneered by Jim and Phil
Wharton. This method which is used successfully by scores of
professional, amateur, and Olympic athletes is now available to
everyone. The routine is simple: First, you prepare to stretch one
isolated muscle at a time. Then you actively contract the muscle
opposite the isolated muscle, thereby relaxing it in preparation
for its stretch. You stretch it gently and quickly -- for no more
than two seconds -- and release it before it goes into its
protective contraction. Then you repeat. Simple, but the results
are outstanding. |
