Do you stretch? Do you stretch regularly? The importance of stretching before, during and after exercise is very important on so many different levels. Not only does it prevent you from new injuries, but it can also help prevent further damage your muscles. Apart from improving your flexibility, it has a great influence on how strong you are and how you are able to move.

Your muscles are designed to be strong and tough. Hard and tense muscles are unhealthy and can be incredibly limiting regardless of what exercise you do. When your body is in rest, your muscles tend to contract. When you use them they expand and each and every fiber in the muscles moves. Like elastic bands, they expand and contract. A person who has healthy muscles have elasticity in them and they can expand and contract a lot easier without tearing.

Although tearing the entire muscles does not happen that easily, someone who is supple will be far less susceptible to injury. What many people don't know about being flexible is that it improves your overall muscle tone and enables you to get much more out of your muscles. More "elastic" muscles are capable of more and apart from the actual elasticity it’s the actual muscle fibers that are stronger when you are flexible.

Stretching does more for your body than merely leaving you smooth and injury free, it allows you to move better. It allows you to have better posture and can help in preventing things like arthritis from setting in. Stretching can also improve your cardiovascular circulation and with the correct stretching methods it can do wonders for your spine. If you have a lot of muscle aches and pains, then try stretching. It can do wonders for you. Make it a regular habit and try and stretch every morning when you wake up and every evening before you go to bed.

Contrary to what some believe muscle stretching should not be the first thing you do prior to starting your workout. Do a light cardio warm up instead - Warm up first with a 5-10 minutes of walking, cycling, etc., and then stretch. You can also do stretching exercises at the end of your full cardio workout.

Stretching cold muscles (not warmed up) can cause or lead to injuries. There is also some research indicating that a lot of excess stretching can cause a short-term reduction in muscle strength. Therefore those doing weight (strength) training should save the serious stretching for after the workout is over. Remember, be smart about making sure you are warmed up.