Illustrated Stretching Exercises

If you are visual learner, when planning your stretching routines, you will probably appreciate a book or website that features illustrated stretching exercises. Unlike auditory learners, who can understand the biomechanics of a stretch by simply listening to or reading instructions, visual learners need to see a picture of the stretch, or watch someone perform it.

Fortunately, most people who write stretching books or host exercise websites understand the value of illustrated stretching exercises. Unfortunately, in an age when anyone can self-publish a book or put up a website, not all of the information you find in a book or on a site will be safe or valid. Many people have taken the idea of flexibility to an extreme. As a result, some of what you find in books or on the Internet are examples of stupid human tricks, as opposed to stretching exercises.

That said, there is a simple way to evaluate the safety of any illustrated stretching exercise. Look at the photo or drawing, and try to imagine whether it bears any similarity to movements that you perform in daily life. For example, do you really need to wrap both legs around your head? If you are a gymnast, or if you have aspirations of becoming a member of Cirque du Soleil, this might be useful. However, since most people do not use their toenails to scratch their heads, this type of range of motion is not useful.

Thus, when evaluating an illustrated stretching guide, consider the muscles that you use in your daily life.

• Do you sit at a desk? The muscles of your back, neck, chest and hip flexors may be tight.
• Are you active in a specific sport? There are many sport-specific stretches, that are usually performed after the game or activity.
• Are you a new mother? The muscles of your upper and lower back will need stretching.
• Do you have back problems? You will need a series of stretching exercises for the lower back.

Fortunately, the web is filled with free illustrated stretching guides, which are suitable for any of these purposes. These are just a few of them.

If you are looking for a general flexibility program, the following websites offer illustrated guides:

• Scribd offers an illustrated stretching guide for most muscle groups.
• The Mayo Clinic has an 11-page stretching slide show.
• The web's most comprehensive stretching guide can be found on Exercise RX. The website also provides excellent information about the different types of stretching.

Working at an office can put a considerable amount of strain on the the upper back, lower back, neck and hip flexors. Additionally, consistent typing can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Shelter Pub offers a free illustrated guide to desk stretches.
• Daniel Will Harris has an excellent guide to preventing Repetitive Stress injuries. This fun site has illustrated and animated pictures.

Recent studies by sports medicine experts have indicated that it's better to perform stretches after, as opposed to before, your game. The following websites offer pictorial guides to sport stretches.

• The Mayo Clinic offers an excellent, golf-stretch slide show.
• The Stretching Handbook is one of the most popular stretching books ever written. You can view illustrations of sport-specific stretches on the author's website.

Foam Rollers combine the benefits of flexibility exercise and massage. They are slowly becoming one of the most popular stretching tools for athletic teams. However, because of the unique nature of the product, it is difficult to give a verbal description of the stretches. Fortunately, Perform Better has a comprehensive, illustrated foam roller guide

While stretching is beneficial, be sure to balance your stretching exercises with a strength-training program.

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• List of the Best Abdominal Exercises
• Back Fat Exercises
• Stretching Exercises for Lower Back
• Stretching Exercises
• Free Stretching Exercises Illustrated