Recovery is just as crucial to people who take fitness seriously than the workout itself. Yoga instructor and fitness fan Piper has perfected the post-workout stretching technique to help muscles recuperate and increase flexibility.
“Stretching is about giving your muscles the care they need to become stronger, not only about cooling down,” Piper says.
Her program centers on important stretches like the legs, back, and shoulders that target areas most often addressed on high-intensity sessions. Let’s explore Piper’s stretching techniques for best post-workout recovery.
1. Hamstring Stretch
Stretching the hamstrings is absolutely vital following any lower body exercise. Piper suggests beginning with a basic forward fold in which you reach for your toes and, if necessary, maintain a modest knee bend.
“This stretch helps with general flexibility in addition to relieving tension in the back of your legs,” she notes.
2. Cow Stretch for the Spine
Piper swears by the Cat-Cow stretch for people who do core-oriented exercises or heavy lifting. “It’s a gentle but powerful approach to maintain the spine mobile,” she says.
On all fours, alternately arch your back and round it to release tension and increase spine mobility.
3. Opener for the shoulder and the chest
“Your shoulders suffer a lot of strain during workouts,” Piper notes. She advises a doorway stretch: Lean slightly forward while hands are on either side of a doorway.
This stretch helps to release any stored tension by opening the shoulders and the chest.
These easy yet powerful stretches will help you keep your muscles supple, prevent damage, and hasten recovery from exercise. Piper tells us, “Recovery is key.” “Your body will pay you for treating it well.”
