Did you have any idea that stretching can actually help strengthen your muscles, increase your muscle mass, and, if need be, make your muscles mean and lean? Stretching can also massively improve your flexibility, but that’s a story for another time…For now, let’s see how regular stretching before a fitness boot camp class in Mission Beach can dramatically improve the state of your muscles.
What happens to muscles when stretching?
They stretch. Come on, this was easy. No need to consult the San Diego Institute for Public Health on this one, right? Although the answer seems rather simple and blatantly obvious, the truth is somewhat different. Yes, muscles stretch, but how does that happen exactly?
Contracted muscles produce a large amount of tension at the place where the muscle connects to a tendon. This is the location of the Golgi tendon organ that sends out a message to the spine to trigger the body’s own defense mechanism and relax and elongate contracted muscles.
However, this leaves muscles weakened for a certain amount of time, which is unfavorable. That is why you should do what you can to elongate and relax your muscles by doing stretches. You will spare them becoming weakened, you will not trigger the body’s defense mechanism, and you will take care of your muscles.
Can stretching increase muscle mass?
When wanting to gain muscle mass, stretching is probably the absolutely last thing on your mind. Stretching serves only as a preparatory activity before exercising, and muscle relaxing activity after “real” exercising, right?
However, not only can stretching, in itself, increase the mass of your muscles, it can also greatly facilitate your muscle gain when practiced regularly in conjunction with other exercising methods.
This is how it works – muscles are encased in connective tissue known as fascia. This tough tissue is what holds your muscles in place. However, it is also what restricts the unhindered growth of your muscles.
And this is where stretching comes in. Stretching your muscles also means stretching your fascia, providing your muscles more room to grow, thus vastly increasing your muscles’ potential to increase in mass. So yes, stretching is a sure way toward increasing your muscle mass for more reasons than one.
Does stretching give you lean muscles?
Wanting to get fit and build muscles doesn’t mean you’re going for that coveted “Hulk” look. You’d probably want to increase your muscle mass a bit, while still aiming to keep your muscles lean and long as much as possible?
Well, if you’re exercising towards such a result, stretching should definitely be high on your list of priorities. As you already know, stretching elongates your muscles, preventing them from staying contracted for too long. This is especially true for those post-exercising stretches.
And this is exactly what’s going to help your muscles remain lean and long. Stretching returns your muscles into their previous, elongated state, which is exactly what you want when trying to keep your muscles from becoming all bulky.
So, regularly perform stretches such as hand walks, walking spiderman, scapular wall slides, reverse lunges, etc., and they will help you achieve the look you’re aiming for. Stretching is a lot more than just an activity for warming up and cooling down.
“Where in Mission Beach can I stretch to my heart’s desire?”
Even if you’re a person who likes going to incredibly interesting fitness boot camp classes in Mission Beach, you’d still do well to stretch before and after. And, if it’s stretching you’re eager for, then Fit is what you’ll be needing.
We’re a fitness establishment that goes all out to please our visitors. We’ll show you how to stretch and work towards the goals you’ve set. You can join our stretching sessions and work on this important fitness aspect for up to 30 minutes. Not even diving in Wreck Alley can replace a good stretch here and there. Make Fit your go-to place for keeping fit!