Tensility

May 5, 2013

Tensility – or another often used word, stretching.  Our muscular system is an intricate web of amazing fibers that contract on demand to move our bodies.  We are constantly using these tiny machines to live and get around.  How thankful we should be to have the full range of motion and strength that we have.  I remember my Grandmother Muffie (really, Muffie) who was in a state of chronic pain due to arthritis, her joints were all bound up and movement or mobility  of any kind was impossible or uncomfortable at best.  My point is this, appreciate your muscles and their amazing ability and remember that a good old fashioned stretch is just the answer for tired muscles.

We all know we should stretch, but far too many of us overlook this  activity and choose to get on with the ‘fun stuff’ instead – the class, the run, the self-directed workout. Perhaps though, part of the problem is that we are not educated quite enough on the reasons we should be stretching – and perhaps a full list of all the reasons we should be stretching could help encourage us to be more vigilant. Here are a selection of a few of the reasons it’s important to stretch.

It Improves Muscle Development

If you’re doing a workout with the hope of building muscle then stretching is very important as it enables you to move through the full range of movement. This then results in your building full and long (TONED) muscles instead of them becoming stunted and short.

It Increases Range of Motion

Not only does stretching increase the range of motion for someone lifting weights while they’re doing it, it also helps to increase range of motion and flexibility in general. This then means that you will be more likely to perform things such as the splits or high kicks … or not.  But stretching is highly useful in a range of different sports or activities and many athletes practice stretching for this reason.

It decreases the chance of INJURY

Muscles are living tissue and often bruise, cramp, or tear.  The number one reason for all of these injuries is lack of muscle tensility, or the ability to elongate.  The bones cannot move well without the muscles moving freely.  If we let them just keep shortening on their own … well you may know somebody who is tight; shoulders rounded forward, spine rounded forward, problems bending down without the heels coming up, elbows always bent … these people have chronic neck and upper back pain, low back pain, and the list goes on and on.  ALL a matter of tensility.

It has been said in many matters, no job is finished until the paperwork is done.  When it comes to exercise and mobility, no exercise is finished until the stretching is done!

In good health,

Bob

The fight training was very extensive, a lot of stretching, a lot of coordination of balance exercises. – Jason Statham