WAfter doing any kind of exercise, it is important to stretch. This is for a number of reasons. First, it reduces the build-up of lactic acids that contributes to the soreness that you often feel after exercise.
It also limits the strain on your muscles and joints, which will help you stay flexible and reduce the amount of strain on your muscles. Read on to find out exactly what stretches you need to do after push-ups!
Which Ones Are The Best?
There are a number of stretches that you can do after push-ups, but these ones are the best:
- Wrist Stretch – Grab the fingers of your right hand with your left hand and extend your right arm straight with your palm facing out and fingers pointing down, then gently pull back on your fingers. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other wrist.
- Chest and Shoulder Stretch – Hold your hands behind your back, and keep your arms straight as you lift your hands up. Do this until you feel a gentle stretch in your chest and shoulders and hold for 30 seconds.
- Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch – Pull your right arm across your chest, hold it in place with your left hand, and pull it closer to your chest and to the left. Hold for 30 seconds, and then switch sides.
How Do You Start Stretching?
You should move slowly into a stretching position after a push-up to avoid putting too much strain on your muscles. If you immediately jump into a stretching position, you can cause more harm than good as it puts too much pressure on the muscle and connective tissue.
How Can You Know If You’re Stretching The Right Way?
If you’re not going to stretch in the correct way, then there’s no point in stretching in the first place. So here’s how to know you’re stretching correctly:
- Don’t stretch from cold – If you stretch before exercising, you’ll only cause more harm than good. This is because the warmth after exercising makes your muscles more elastic and less prone to injury.
- Move in and out of stretches slowly – Moving into stretches is important as it allows you to test the waters to make sure you’re doing it right. If you’re feeling pain, then you’re probably not doing it right.
Should You Make A Break Between Push-Ups and Stretching?
Just like you should take breaks between reps, you should also take a break between doing push-ups and stretching. This is so you can catch your breath, don’t overwork your body, and don’t cause any injury to your body.
Stretches You Shouldn’t Do
Although stretches are an important part of your fitness routine, there are still some that you should avoid as they can be detrimental to your body:
- Hurdler Stretch
- Sit and Reach Stretch
- Hip Flexor Stretch
Final Thoughts on Stretches To Do After Push-Ups
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about what stretches to do after push-ups.
Sticking to stretches like the Wrist Stretch and Chest and Shoulder Stretch is the best way to go, though it is important to not push yourself too much whilst doing this as you could end up hurting yourself. Just remember to stretch properly, take breaks, and have fun!