Free Stretching Exercises Illustrated

If you are looking for free stretching exercises, illustrated stretching charts can be found on a number of websites. In many cases, these stretching exercise charts are created by renowned fitness book authors and studio owners, as a means of marketing their books or services.

For many people, Bob Anderson's Stretching Handbook is the bible of stretching. His informative website features a sample of free, illustrated stretching exercises for various sports. All of the featured stretches are designed to prevent the most common injuries associated with the sport.

For example, his golf page displays a stretch for the waist, a stretch for the shoulders, and a stretch for the triceps. The martial arts page shows two variations of a hamstring stretch, and one for the chest. The walking page shows a stretch for the adductors, which are your inner thighs, a stretch for the quads and a stretch for the Achilles. Unlike many free stretching exercises websites, all of the stretches displayed on the Stretching Handbook website are being performed with good form.

The Exercise Database is one of the most comprehensive fitness sites in cyberspace. The detailed, illustrated stretching page shows stretches for just about every part of the body. Even better, this website offers a printer friendly version of each stretch. Exercise Database features stretches for the following muscle groups:

• Abdominals, latissimus dorsi, obliques and serratus anterior Stretch: This is a wonderful hip-to-waste stretch.
• Abdominals and serratus anterior stretch: This exercise ball abdominal stretch feels great after an intense abdominal workout.
• Gastronemius, soleus and calves stretch: This is an excellent post-run calf stretch.
• Gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi stretch: This is a stretch for the glutes and upper back.
• Gracilis and adductor longus stretch: This is a stretch for the groin and inner thighs.
• Groin and gluteus maximus stretch: This is a great post hiking stretch.
• Hip flexor stretch: Since running tightens the hip flexors, this stretch feels wonderful after a long run.
• Pectoral, front shoulder and biceps stretch: Perform this stretch after a heavy weight-training workout. Additionally, it's an excellent postural alignment stretch for anyone who spends a good deal of time hunched over a computer, or even breastfeeding moms. The pectoral muscles are much stronger than the muscles of the back. Many people exacerbate this muscular imbalance by performing more chest than back exercises, or by sitting in a hunched position. A pectoral stretch, along with adding extra back exercises, can correct this problem.
• Quadriceps and hip flexor stretch: This popular quadriceps and hip flexor stretch is often performed after a run or at the end of an aerobics class. It is often favored by aerobics instructors, since it keeps the head above the waist. This gives the participants a longer period of time to cool down and bring the pulse back to its resting state. While many people do this stretch while holding on to a bar, a tree or a partner, performing it without holding on can enhance static balance skills.
• Neck stretch: Neck tension has been associated with headaches, as well as an inability to concentrate. Performing neck stretches can enhance mental and physical performance.

These are just a few of the free stretching exercises illustrated on Exercise Database. You can see the complete list by visiting their website.

Are free stretching exercises only worth what you pay for them? That depends on a number of factors. Here are some criteria to use when evaluating a stretching website:

• Does the creator have respectable fitness credentials?
• Are the models using good form?
• Are the stretches safe for most people, or are they contortions?

Stretch well and stretch wisely.

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