Today's Takeaway with Florine Mark
Health & Fitness:Mental Health
What Is the Most Important Exercise for Your Body?
with Shawn Byrnes, Franchise Owner of StretchLab
When most of us think of stretching, it’s something we might spend a few minutes doing to limber up before exercising, or afterwards to cool down. But did you know that stretching on its own is a great form of exercise? Not only does stretching build and tone your muscles, but it can help avoid injury, increase flexibility or agility, and maximize performance. It might even improve your posture! In professional sports, it’s the job of the team trainer to keep athletes operating in peak performance mode. They do this by utilizing a strict regimen of pre- and post-game stretches. The trainer can manipulate and stretch the individual muscles and joints in order to minimize pain and discomfort, increase range of motion, or improve an athlete’s speed. But these days, having a trainer stretch your muscles, manipulate your joints and optimize your physical fitness isn’t just for professional athletes. One of the fastest-growing franchises in the nation provides group or one on one, stretching sessions with specially trained individuals who stretch and tone your muscles and joints for you. If you want to minimize muscle discomfort, increase your range of motion, and improve your circulation, you’ll want to listen to my interview with Shawn Byrnes, the franchise owner of StretchLab, to explain why stretching could be the best exercise of all.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Why is stretching so beneficial for our health and well being
Is it more important to stretch before or after we exercise?
How can stretching help us avoid and heal from injuries?
How does regular stretching improve athletic fitness?
Should we stretch every day, even when we don’t exercise?
What areas of the body should we focus on?
What is “assisted stretching”?
Why is assisted stretching more effective?
What is StretchLab and how did Shawn become involved?
How often should we stretch?
Is it too late to start stretching, and how can it help us age well?
What is M.A.P.S. technology and how does it work?
What is a Flexologist?
Today’s Takeaway:
We tend to take for granted all the many ways we rely on our body, from brushing our teeth to basic household chores and picking up after the kids or pets, until suddenly, we hurt ourselves. When an injury prevents us from doing even the most basic of movements, our life is disrupted in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. Suddenly we have to rely on others to do all those things for us. We may need help getting dressed, or have someone else walk our dog. But as we’ve heard today, most injuries tend to occur when muscles, ligaments, and joints aren’t properly conditioned. Although a majority of injuries occur during sports-related activities, sometimes just stepping wrong as you get out of the car could cause an injury. Too much pressure or the slightest movement the wrong way might lead to ruptures or tears. That’s why it’s so very important to properly condition your body to maximize your range of motion. When a joint or ligament is too tight, it could snap when it’s put under pressure. But if it’s accustomed to a wider range of motion, that joint or tendon will be far more resilient and forgiving, even under strain. Taking a few extra minutes to stretch each day could save you from injury, not to mention the added mental benefit of giving yourself a few extra minutes to breathe deep and relax. Remember that every day is a gift and having a healthy body is a gift we can never take for granted. So cherish your body and do everything you can to condition it properly. I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”
Quotes:
“Certainly increasing our mobility in our flexibility helps humans do what we’re really designed to do, which is to be in motion.” — Shawn [2:19]
“A body that’s prepared and stretching via assisted stretching or stretching on our own helps us increase that range of motion and flexibility and prepares us to do those activities that we love to do and that we have to do.” — Shawn [2:45]
“Stretching, first and foremost, should not hurt. And I think there was a common misconception for a time that if it didn’t hurt, it didn’t work.” — Shawn [10:11]
“I'm looking for things that can help me maintain my mobility and my flexibility, so I can do the things that I really enjoyed doing into my 60s and 70s. I think assisted stretching is one of those things that can certainly help.” — Shawn [22:15]
Brought to You By:
Gardner White Furniture
Mentioned in This Episode:
StretchLab
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