The benefits to improving your flexibility

There are many different types of exercise, and they all have different benefits. High intensity interval training (HIIT) helps to build strength while burning fat, running helps to burn fat but also develop stamina and endurance and aerobic style workouts help to develop cardiovascular health. However, there is often another type of physical activity that is overlooked, and that is exercise that helps to develop flexibility.

Being flexible enables us to move more easily, without the risk of injury. It enables us to touch our toes or to look behind us over our shoulder. Not only that but our flexibility allows us to perform everyday movements without stiffness and discomfort.

The benefits to being flexible:

• Less joint and muscle pain – As our muscles are longer and more relaxed when we are flexible, everyday movements are easier.

• Reduced risk of injury – If our muscles and joints are more supple we are rewarded with more freedom of movement which means we are less likely to become injured.

• Better posture – By regularly performing exercises that improve our flexibility the alignment of the body will improve. Muscles will move in the way in which they were designed meaning we can function better. Improved posture will in turn reduce every day aches and pains that are associated with sitting or standing incorrectly.

• Better balance – If we have a strong posture and correct alignment, we will feel far more balanced and will reduce our risk of trips and falls.

• Improved physical performance - flexibility exercise help to correct imbalances in the body that might be leading to immobility or stiffness. Improving our flexibility through exercise means strengthening under active muscles and stretching tight, overactive ones, which leads to an overall better ability to perform exercise.

What exercises are good for increasing flexibility?

The good part is, that any kind of stretching exercise is good for improving flexibility. It is essential to warm up the muscles before stretching so that they are warm and more supple, an easy way to do this is to go for a walk, or just get the body moving for at least 5 minutes. This is an important step as it will also decrease the risk of injury.

There are classes designed to specifically help with your flexibility such as Pilates or Yoga, but there are also classes in the community, in gyms, and online that incorporate an element of stretching. If you already exercise regularly but doing something like walking, running or cycling, add a few stretches to your warm up and cool down to feel the benefits.

Pilates classes are an ideal way to improve your flexibility, they are suitable for all ages and abilities, and will help to strengthen your body at the same time, in a gentle, low impact way.

Aim for two sessions of flexibility each week.