In case you are not up to date on TikTok trends, “office chair butt” is a real thing. That term has sparked discussion amongst content creators, who speculate whether sitting at work can negatively affect the strength and appearance of a person’s buttocks, or glute muscles. A few videos talking about “office chair butt” have gained millions of views. This is just on TikTok, but do these content creators have a legitimate fear?

Can Sitting Too Long Damage Your Glutes?

Although “office chair butt” may be a common phrase, it does not have a real medical meaning or definition. Sitting for prolonged periods, however, can negatively affect your butt. Sitting in a chair for hours, days, weeks, months, and years, like most people do, can decondition your glutes and cause muscle loss. 

When the body is sedentary, muscles are not engaging or working. That is true for all muscles and not only the glutes. Over time, not working these muscles can cause them to weaken, and weakened muscles can be infiltrated by fatty tissue, which makes them less resilient. Excessive sitting can also alter the appearance of the muscles. That results in the classic “flat butt” appearance because the muscle is replaced with adipose tissue (fat). Basically, the body molds to the shape of the chair, and excessive sitting may even cause hip and back pain because of tightened muscles. 

Does Sitting Injure The Glutes?

Although sitting for extended periods may weaken muscles and alter the appearance of the butt, it doesn’t harm the glutes directly. Weak gluteal muscles, though, can increase the risk of muscle strain, especially on the muscles in the back and thighs. If someone sits in the same position for a very long time, it is possible that their butt bones can put too much pressure on the gluteal muscles. That is quite rare, though. 

If you experience pain from sitting for long periods of time, you may have “dead butt syndrome,” not office chair butt. Pain in the glutes can stem from sciatica or tendinopathy, a tendon injury in one of the gluteal muscles. “Dead butt” can also refer to gluteal amnesia or issues with your muscles’ ability to contract after long periods of sitting. 

Activating your muscles is easier the more you activate them. If you sit down all day, the muscles are not being activated, so you feel the effects of sitting a lot more. When you do end up using those muscles, they may not be as reliable as they once were. The “dead butt” weakness usually comes with tingling, numbness, or pain. If you experience these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider or consider physical therapy and training to start activating and using these muscles. 

How Do You Prevent Office Chair Butt?

If you have a sedentary job or you tend to sit for long periods, you are at risk of developing office chair butt. Women may be more likely to develop office chair butt, as a higher percentage of women have jobs that require them to sit for long periods of time. The same goes for older and middle-aged people, who have collectively spent more hours sitting at work. 

Like many chronic health conditions, office chair butt can be avoided. The best way to prevent it is to stay active and activate the glutes throughout the day. If you don’t have a standing desk, you can get up every hour and engage in 20 squats. You can also activate your muscles while you are sitting. You can do some glutei squeezes or calf raises every 15 minutes or so. Outside of the office, you can do clamshells, glute bridges, squats, and step-ups to increase glute strength. Just make sure that you execute the exercises with proper form, as improper form can increase the risk of injury.

Practicing a few healthy behaviors can help you avoid office chair butt. However, all butts are not the same and we celebrate the different shapes and sizes of every butt. The goal is just to promote glutei health and overall health. Engaging in exercise or small movements throughout the day can not only help promote healthy glutes, but also improve self-esteem and overall fitness.

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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you have to move if you want to get things moving. A recent research review found that exercise can improve symptoms of constipation. Separate research linked regular exercise to significant relief from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including constipation. If you are struggling to get things moving, movement may be one of the best and easiest solutions.

As a quick note, a single exercise session isn’t the answer to your digestive problems. It may also not trigger an immediate run to the restroom. Researchers note that the digestive benefits of exercise are the greatest in the long term. How does that work, exactly? Well, regular exercise reduces the amount of time it takes for food to move through the digestive tract. The reduction in time means that the body has less opportunity to absorb water content from stool as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract. Simply put, hydrated stool passes much more easily than hard, dry stool. 

At this time, researchers do not fully understand how exercise activates gut motility. The belief is that there are mechanical and chemical routes at play. Mechanical mechanisms include physical pressure on and twisting of the intestines. Changes in blood flow are also mechanical mechanisms. Chemical ones include the increase in digestive enzymes or hormone release. Read on to learn which exercises are the best to ease constipation. 

Core Exercises

Think of your core like a housing unit for the body’s organs, including the gastrointestinal system. The Harvard Medical School suggests that the strength and function of core muscles play an integral role in motility. Their contractions increase the pressure throughout the abdominal cavity, which helps to push things through. The strong the muscles are, the more contractions there are to promote digestion. Bending and twisting the torso also puts more pressure on the intestines. Additionally, planks and plank variations can increase intra abdominal pressure from the muscle contractions, which can stimulate the intestines. 

Running

Are “runner’s poops” a real thing? Gastroenterologists suggest that running can stimulate bowel movements during or immediately after hard runs. The mechanism at play, as per study findings, is a lack of blood supply to the large intestine, or ischemia. Exercise can improve blood flow to the intestines in the long term, but running can route blood away from the digestive system and to working muscles. while engaged in the workout. Running is also a high-impact exercise, which jostles the intestines, potentially stimulating contractions. Finally, the secretion of specialized hormones and digestive enzymes in the digestive tract may further enhance the movement of stool through the intestines. 

Yoga

Yoga is a form of exercise that affects blood flow to the intestines because it involves a lot of bracing, bending, folding, and twisting. All of that core mobility taps into the parasympathetic nervous system and encourages the “rest and digest” state. By lowering your stress levels, or your fight-or-flight response, you calm the body and focus on relaxation, which helps to better prime the body for digestion. According to several studies, certain yoga postures may help relieve constipation in people with irritable bowel syndrome. 

Light Cardio

You shouldn’t have to push to eliminate, or push the body too much to promote bowel movements. Light cardio, such as walking, biking, or aqua aerobics, can help promote regularity. The main goal is to elevate the heart rate enough to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract without causing a dramatic shift in blood flow away from the digestive system. Health experts recommend 150 minutes of light aerobic activity per week, but those minutes don’t have to be structured exercise. Gardening, active commuting, household chores, and more are all beneficial for your digestive health.

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If you want to carry things, bend over easily, rotate with ease, and do other similar tasks, then you need to maintain core strength. Your core helps you maintain balance and carry out everyday movements, which is especially important for aging adults. One of the primary benefits of practicing core exercises as an older adult is that you reduce the risk of falling. Although many falls don’t cause injuries, one out of five falls can cause serious injury, including broken bone or head trauma. 

According to research, a weak core is one of the risk factors for falling. Other risk factors that increase the risk of falling include low vitamin D levels, vision problems, foot pain, difficulty walking, or home hazards like broken steps. When you train your core, you are able to have an easier time avoiding falls. And since standing core exercises may be tricky for older adults with mobility or balance issues, the sequence in this article involves seated exercises. Doing core exercises in a seated position may help older adults avoid injury. Complete the following five exercises in a sequence about two to three times a week for a stronger core. 

Seated March

Sit up straight on an exercise box, armless chair, or bench. Make sure to stack your ribs over your hips, keep your feet flat on the floor, and let your arms remain by your sides. Engage your core by inhaling, filling your entire rib cage with air. During your exhale, use your core to draw your right knee up toward your chest, forming a 90-degree angle with your leg. Slowly lower your right leg down to the ground and then repeat on your left leg. Complete three sets of 10 reps on each side, alternating legs.

Seated Chop

Remain seated on your exercise box, bench, or chair, stacking your ribs over your hips with your feet flat on the floor. Square up your hips and keep your feet hip-distance apart. Twist your torso and reach your hands across the right side of your body and an upward angle. In a fluid motion, bring your hands down and across your body so that they extend below your left leg. Do not lean forward during this motion; rather, maintain a sturdy core. Reverse that motion so that your hands reach up across to the right again. Once you complete 10 reps, switch sides. Complete three sets of 10 reps per side. 

Seated Side Bend

You don’t have to move from your seated position on your exercise box, bench, or chair. Just be sure that your posture is straight and that your feet are flat on the floor, hip-distance apart. Keep your torso straight and lean to your right side, hinging at the waist to lower yourself as far as you can comfortably go. Return to the center by engaging your obliques. Bend to the left side and continue to alternate until you complete 10 reps per side. Complete three sets of 10 reps per side. 

Seated Bicycle

Sit up tall on your exercise box, bench, or chair, ensuring that you stack your ribs over your hips and that your feet are flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and lift your right foot off the ground on an exhale. Slowly twist your torso, drawing your right knee in to touch your left elbow. Reverse the motion to return your foot to the ground and then immediately alternate to repeat on the other side. Continue alternating sides until you do 10 reps on each side. Complete three sets of 10 reps per side. 

Seated Russian Twist

For your final exercise in this routine, you are still going to remain in a seated position. How about that?! Keep your feet flat on the ground, hip-distance apart, and lean slightly back until you feel your abs engage. Aim to form a 45-degree angle between your torso and the chair or exercise box, on which you’re sitting. On an exhale, twist your torso to the right, reaching your hands back in the direction of your oblique. Return to the center and then repeat on the left side, continuing to alternate until you complete 10 reps on each side. Complete three sets of 10 reps per side.

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This week, Dherbs CEO AD Dolphin walks you through the Facts and Fiction about cramps! Why do we get cramps while exercising?

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Depending on work schedules, commitments, or family situations, some people don’t have the luxury of choosing a specific workout time. These people simply fit movement in where they can and are content with that. Most people will say that any movement is beneficial, but research states that there is an optimal time of day to break a sweat. 

As a disclaimer, the best time to work out is whenever the time meshes with your schedule. If you can only squeeze in your yoga flow or spin class after work, so be it. Exercise physiologists say that it’s better to exercise than to skip it completely. That said, fitness researchers have pinpointed an optimal time to workout: the morning. The studies indicate that you benefit most from a morning sweat session. 

The idea of waking up to exercise may seem daunting, but it’s not as difficult as you think. Plus, getting exercise out of the way earlier in the day means that you don’t have to worry about it later. Additionally, a morning workout doesn’t get in the way of other “priorities” that may come up in the evening. Roughly 50% of Americans who exercise opt for morning workouts, and you have the power to ease into this habit. Continue reading to learn why that’s a great idea.

More Control Over Appetite Throughout The Day

When you work out in the morning, there’s a greater chance that you’ll be able to control appetite throughout the day. One study found that people tend to eat less after a morning workout as opposed to after an evening workout. If weight loss is your primary reason for working out, consider switching your exercise routines to the morning. 

Promotes A Calmer Day

Adrenaline is a stress-fueled hormone that trigger’s the body’s fight or flight response. When there’s less adrenaline in the body, it’s easier to feel calmer. Additionally, exercise promotes the production of endorphins, necessary amino acid compounds that ease pain and promote overall well-being. Working out first thing in the morning, then, helps keep these mood-regulating hormones in check. This is greatly beneficial as it helps you enter the workday with a sense of calm. There’s also no need to worry about completing a workout later because it’s already done!

Better Sleep

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) monitored the sleep of people who ran on the treadmill at 7 a.m, and those who exercised later in the day. The results indicated that people who got on the morning treadmill slept longer and were able to experience deeper sleep cycles. They also spent 75% more time in the most reparative stages of sleep than evening exercisers. The NSF also states that people who go for an evening sweat session typically have more trouble falling asleep. Working out raises your body temperature, and overheating is not conducive to a night of healthy sleep. 

May Lower Blood Pressure

This claim specifically comes from a 2014 study published in Vascular Health Risk Management. The study monitored 20 people with borderline hypertension or elevated blood pressure. Participants who exercised on a treadmill at 7 a.m., verses 1 p.m. or 7 p.m, were able to reduce their mean overnight blood pressure by more than 16%. Lowering blood pressure helps decrease the risk of stroke and heart disease, and this is why cardiologists encourage regular exercise to help manage heart health. 

You’ll Get It Over With And Have More Time At Night

Working out isn’t necessarily the first item that you want to check off your daily list. If you exercise at the gym, getting yourself there and working out can seem daunting or feel like a chore. It’s way easier to get your workout done in the morning because you may be in a bad mood or tired after work. The later you make your workouts, the more likely you are to avoid them completely. Plus, when you exercise in the morning, there’s more free time in the evening or at night. 

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If you took a long break from exercise during COVID-19 and want to start back up, you are not alone. Many people adhered to lockdown measures, staying home as much as possible. Unfortunately, lockdowns and the fear of contracting COVID-19 caused many people to avoid exercise, even if an outdoor space was available.

Returning to your old training regimen is not going to be a walk in the park. In fact, fitness experts suggest that you ease in to an exercise regimen to avoid injury. After a year of not working out, for example, you will most likely have lost your progress. That means you shouldn’t expect to warm up with the starting weight you remember. It’s so easy to injure yourself if you rush into exercise after a long break. Going too hard can increase the risk of shin splints, tendinopathies, and other overuse syndromes. It’s all about the slow build, no matter if you work on cardiovascular or strength training exercises. 

The body is an amazing creation and it has the ability to rebuild strength, provided your general health isn’t in a dramatic decline. Start with the right training method after your period of inactivity. Always listen to your body to avoid pushing it into a state of discomfort. Pay attention to warning signs, including tightness, pain, or limited range of motion, and stop if these things occur. 

Manage Expectations

If you could easily run a mile before the pandemic and have not exercised since, don’t think that that mile is going to be an easy feat. The same can be said for your warm up weight on a bench press. The fact of the matter is that if you did not work out, or only worked out minimally, during the pandemic, you will not be the same upon your return. That’s perfectly fine, but expecting that you will be the same sets you up for failure, injury, and disappointment. It’s very common to be upset or angry when you tire easily or can’t lift what you used to. It’s better to self-examine before your workout to assess where you should start. Once you have a starting place, you can create goals to motivate yourself to get back to where you were.

Set Goals

Not only does setting goals help to motivate you, but it also keeps you focused. The goals should be specific, smart, realistic, and time-sensitive. Is your goal to run a 5K in under 20 minutes? Maybe you want to get stronger, increase your rep count, or squat a certain weight. Whatever the goal is, gradually build towards it. Start small and increase the difficulty as time passes. You can reach your goals, but you have to start slowly so that your body can acclimate to your new regimen without worrying about potential injury.

Diverse Activities For Runners

People who run require a different workout regimen than those who only want to lift weights and build muscle. When you return to running, take the time to stretch before and after your run. You may also want to consider foam rolling for myofascial release. Running is not just about distance or time, though. Physical trainers suggest that runners develop a solid glute strengthening routine to increase muscle strength and mobility. Additionally, you may also want to adjust sleeping and eating habits to encourage an overall healthier body when you run.

Tips To Stay Motivated

There is no possible way that you will experience instantaneous results. That’s just not the way life goes, folks. Unfortunately, most people want to give up when they don’t see immediate progress. Giving up after so much time away from exercise defeats the purpose or returning to the gym! One of the best ways to make your new exercise routine a habit is to engage in exercises that you like. Consider joining a fitness class with a motivational instructor. Zumba, spin, hot yoga, or Pilates might be more beneficial for you and your fitness goals. You may even want to sign up for personal training sessions to help you stay on track. If a trainer is not affordable, consider using a workout/fitness app to set goals and track progress. 

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

It’s easy to compare your pre-COVID self to your post-COVID self, but don’t do that. If you haven’t been training for over a year, there is no need for comparison. In fact, that’s a ludicrous idea! Your strength or endurance declined, but you are back to bring them back to where they were. Be proud of yourself for wanting to get back in shape. Always stay positive and you will get back to where you left off before the pandemic. 

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With the reopening of gyms and continuous rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, people are eager to get back to regular exercise. If you’re waiting until you receive the vaccine to head back to the gym, you might be wondering how long you should wait before exercising post-shot(s). Is it necessary to wait a certain amount before breaking a sweat? It’s good to stay active and get in some exercise, but health experts say that it may depend on how you feel. 

It’s a well-known fact that the most common side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine is site pain. This means that your arm or muscle is sore in the area where you receive the shot. There is also occasional swelling or redness, but this varies from person to person. It’s important to remember that these symptoms are not specific to this vaccine. People who receive flu shots or tetanus boosters in their upper arm can experience that same arm pain. The pain can linger for a few days after receiving the shot. So is it wise to get a pump in if you still experience some pain?

Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

If you plan on getting the COVID-19 vaccine, keep in mind that some side effects may be in store for you. Some people experience lethargy or muscle soreness the morning after, while others have a fever and chills. There are some, though, who are briefly affected and then do not experience any side effects. The point is that it varies depending on your age, gender, and health. Common side effects include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Arm pain or swelling at injection site
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Grogginess 

Can You Exercise After Receiving The Vaccine?

The short answer is: yes, so long as you feel up to it. Of course, health experts don’t have specific guidelines for post-shot exercise. The main takeaway for everyone is that they need to use common sense, paying attention to how they feel. In the immediate hours and days after receiving the shot, it will be easy to know how the body reacts and feels. An interview with many registered dietitians, who follow an active workout regimen, catalogued different reactions. Some were more prone to symptoms, while others were able to resume regular exercise the next day. These dietitians recommended that people modify workouts to avoid injury and encourage immune recovery.

Will The Vaccine Affect Your Workouts?

The two primary vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, involve two doses. Several reports from people who received the Pfizer vaccine noted different reactions. One female dietitian, for instance, continued her same workout regimen after the first dose. After the second dose, however, she was unable to exercise for two days. Another nutritionist only experienced mild symptoms after both the first and second dose. She was listened to her body, rested for two days after each shot, and then resumed her regular workouts. 

Some dietitians and nutritionists who received the Moderna vaccine reported mild site pain and no extreme or mild fatigue. One nutritionist had mild arm pain, but she only waited one day before resuming her regular workouts. The injection site pain did not inhibit her strength or physical ability. A different nutritionist had no real fatigue after the first injection and was able to resume her workouts without any problems. She has yet to receive the second dose. 

Is It Dangerous To Workout After A COVID-19 Vaccine?

Health experts agree that there is nothing dangerous about exercising after receiving the vaccine. Even though you may experience some uncomfortable side effects, they should subside and you can resume workouts after. As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to listen to your body. If you don’t feel like your normal self, wait it out and rest. The body’s natural way to rejuvenate is by resting, so take your time if you aren’t 100%. Consider lighter workouts like yoga, walking, or even a long stretching session. Lastly, an infectious disease specialist noted that there’s nothing stopping the body from exercising post vaccination. If you can tolerate the side effects and make it through the workout, that’s completely fine and safe. 

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Are you an ectomorph, endomorph, or a mesomorph? AD Dolphin helps you identify your body type and the type of workouts you should be doing to slim down. Keep watching to find out what cleansing and raw foods can do for you.

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The thyroid is a small gland in the throat that secretes hormones, which influence body temperature, growth, and metabolism. These hormones can also affect brain development in children. A problem with the thyroid can take a toll on your life, affecting both physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are natural remedies and yoga poses that can help balance the thyroid. 

There have been several studies that document how yoga positively affects the thyroid. Now, yoga poses alone will not cure a thyroid disorder; rather, yoga is merely a complementary therapy. If you take thyroid medication or take part in thyroid therapies, yoga is not meant to replace them. Most of the yoga poses in this article help to stimulate the throat by increasing energy flow and improving circulation to that area. 

Note: Don’t go beyond your body’s limitations. It’s important to be gentle on the body with these poses, so please modify the stretches to your level of comfort. Additionally, you don’t have to complete all of these poses in the same yoga session. Break them up throughout the day and see how you feel. 

Bridge Pose

This pose is great for anyone with hypothyroidism because it works to stretch the neck and improve circulation to the thyroid gland. Lie on your back and draw your feet towards your buttocks as you bend your knees. You should be able to touch your heels with your finger tips. With your arms by your sides, press them into the floor as you lift your hips upward. Tuck your chin and squeeze your glutes. Breathe deeply for three slow breaths. Return to the starting position. 

Plow Pose

The theory is that this pose benefits your thyroid by improving circulation. The slight inversion works to increase blood flow to the thyroid and other glands in the upper body. Lie flat on your back and keep your arms by your sides, palms facing down. Inhale deeply and then exhale as you bring your legs over your head, supporting your lower back with your hands. Hold your hands on your hips with your elbows on the ground like bolsters. If you can, touch your toes to the ground and remain here for three to five breaths. Exhale and return to the starting position. 

Upward Bow Pose

This pose can be a little advanced for beginners, so feel free to skip it if it is not feasible. This pose provides a deep stretch to the chest and lungs, and it also stimulates the pituitary and thyroid glands. Lie flat on your back and bend your knees to draw your heels close to your buttocks. Place your hands on the mat on either side of your head, press them and your feet into the mat firmly, and squeeze your glutes as you lift your hips upward. Your body should make an arch. Spread your shoulder blades and hang your head. Hold the pose for five to ten breaths before returning to the starting position. 

Cobra Pose

Working to stretch the neck and throat region, cobra pose can help people who suffer from hypothyroidism. The elongated stretch works to improve thyroid function. Lie flat on your stomach and place your palms on the mat on either side of your chest. The tops of your feet should also be on the mat. Squeeze your elbows in as you press your palms into the mat and push up. You can come partway up into cobra or all the way up into upward dog (pictured above). Drop your shoulders and relax your breathing for five breaths. Gently lower yourself down to return to the starting position. 

Inverted Pose

Commonly known as Legs Up The Wall, this pose works to increase blood flow to the thyroid gland to help regulate thyroid function. Additionally, this pose is beneficial for stress or anxiety relief. Place a blanket or pillow under your hips for support. Sit up straight with your right side against the wall. Lift your legs up the wall in a swooping motion as you simultaneously lie on your back. Your buttocks can touch the wall or be a few inches away from it. Relax the neck to your chin and soften the throat. Remain in this position for 20 minutes, breathing deeply throughout. 

Corpse Pose

Even though this pose isn’t difficult, it is challenging to lie in stillness for an elongated period. Rest in this pose because your body is fully supported without effort. Lie flat on your back with your palms facing up and allow your feet fall out to the sides. Release any tension that you have in the body and let go of everything. Relax in this pose for any amount of time that feels comfortable to you. You can remain here for two minutes or 25 minutes. 

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For the average person, stretching is stretching. Most people are unaware that there are multiple forms of stretching, including dynamic, static, and active stretching. It’s likely that you are familiar with static stretching, which involves going through the motions that you’ve observed or learned over the years. As it turns out, active stretching is the most beneficial form of stretching.

What Is Active Stretching?

Active stretching is a form of static stretching, but it involves remaining in a position that isolates the muscles that you want to stretch. If the stretch aims to target the hamstring, you only use the muscles in that area to hold the pose. For example, during the pose, you contract the muscle group that you’re stretching and relax the opposite muscle group. This actually can deepen the stretch and improve range of motion. You don’t need external forces to increase mobility with active stretching.

What Does Research Say About Active Stretching?

Active stretching is based on reciprocal inhibition, meaning that you voluntarily contract one muscle group and relax the other muscle group. This allows you to go deeper into the stretch. A review in 2012 compared active stretching to passive stretching, in regards to muscle loss prevention. The majority of the research indicated that active stretching helped prevent muscle atrophy, whereas passive stretching didn’t do much. Other research from 2015 found that actively stretching the hamstrings improved flexibility and knee flexion more than people who passively stretched. 

If you don’t regularly engage in active stretching, we recommend starting now. It may help to improve performance, accelerate recovery time, and improve range of motion and flexibility. See the following benefits below. 

Pain Relief

Active stretching works to improve circulation to your muscles by gently stimulating them. In doing so, you can experience less tension and pain in the targeted areas. It’s not a and done and done quick fix thing, though. You have to regularly engage in active stretching to help relieve pain. This has been proven with athletes who experienced an injury and used active stretching for recovery.

Muscle Strength

Please don’t think that active stretching replaces strength training because it doesn’t. Not only does help to maintain your strength, but it also feels good. According to a study from Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, people who actively stretched their legs for 40 minutes several times a week improved their one-rep max by 32% in 15 different exercises. People also improved muscular endurance, standing long-jump, vertical jump, and more. 

Better Performance

One of the most common benefits of all stretching is that you can improve your athletic performance. For active stretching, engaging the muscles during the stretch can improve performance in those areas. By improving mobility, range of motion, and overall flexibility, you have a better chance at performing better and reducing the risk of injury. 

Personalized Stretching

With regular passive stretching, you address general pain or work to increase flexibility. More often than not, people aim to stretch areas of pain, but don’t correctly address the affected muscle group. Active stretching allows you the opportunity to cater your stretches to the areas of pain. You can look up videos online about specific active stretches for your needs, or you can visit a stretch therapy center. You can read more about stretch therapy by clicking here. 

Better Form During Exercise

If you are a workout enthusiast, then you understand how optimal form is paramount for reducing risk of injury and targeting the muscles you actually want to strengthen. Most people engage in exercises with improper form all the time. No matter what type of exercise you do, you can always improve your form by actively stretching. As we stated earlier, active stretching can lead to better performance and improved muscle strength. Healthier muscles and flexibility allow for full range of motion, which makes it easier to successfully perform the exercise.

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