Okay, I am a guy.  I played college baseball and spent a considerable amount of time in the gym and for years, everyone said, “you need to add more stretching into your workouts.”  My response: “….eh, whatever.”  Alright, so that was dumb me and this is now “smarter” me talking after years of hip, lower back, knee, ankle, and shoulder pain a direct result of being incredibly inflexible.  

Now, every time someone would talk about stretching the words “pilates” or “yoga” or “stretching mat” would come up.  BORING!!!  I participate in some of those things now but at the time I would listen to none of that.  So to all you guys, here are 5 REASONS why you should incorporate some stretching into your workouts that you may actually listen to:

1. Cut Down the Back Pain – Yes, back pain can be caused by your body being incredibly inflexible.  Sitting for long periods of time and then hitting the weights puts a lot of stress on the body.  Think of this like a fish rod that is incapable of bending…the tiniest bass would snap that thing in half in no time. 

2. Become More Athletic – If you ever get to the ballpark early, you will see professional athletes stretching by themselves or even by trainers.  Message: if they do it in the pros…THERE IS A REASON!  Have more flexibility allows you to achieve body movement that otherwise you would be incapable of.

3. Expand the Workout – There are several exercises, such as lunges, dead lift, and a variety of should pressing exercises in standing that you just cannot do if you are really inflexible.  Usually you just fall over.  Stretch and you will have more options in the weight room

4. Make You Stronger – Yes, hard to believe but it is true.  There are several exercises, particularly with your abdominals, where you spend a majority of the time fighting your back muscles.  Tight Lats and hamstrings make doing those arm supported leg lifts really hard because you are fighting your muscles all day.  Stop fighting your body and make that workout worth it!

5. Cause Being A Rigid Board can be Embarrassing – If you are a person that can barely get down to tie your shoes, can’t lift your leg up onto a high step, or get out of bed like a moving a 2 by 4, just give this stretching thing a try.  I know sitting down to stretch can be kind of “girly” but that has got to be less embarrassing then throwing your back out picking up the newspaper.