The upper body tends to be the lonely half of the body. Not in terms of weight lifting but in terms of stretching. The effects of this decision are not fully realized by many.
People stretch the lower body because that is what is used to do any type of running or jumping so many value there legs. Remember though, you run on your legs with your arms. Let me say that one more time YOU RUN ON YOUR LEGS WITH YOUR ARMS. Let’s see you try and run fast without pumping your arms…it just does not matter what sport you are playing, you are going to have a hard time running your best with no arms pumping.
Now that we have cleared up that we use your arms, we need to clear up that they do get worn down and become tight. The upper body is needed for many lifts any time you grab a bar with your hands you are potentially using some aspect of your upper body. This bounds up muscles a lot. The upper body needs to be stretched and kept loose.
It Will Help Your Peformance
Think of it like this, if your shoulders and your whole upper body are lose and swing freely this will allow you to use less energy pumping your arm. I do not know about you guy’s but I do not enjoy wasting energy.
Secondly, tight arms can have an end result of shortening your normal stride length. Tightness usually inhibits a muscle and if your shoulders are inhibited in the way they swing, then guess what, so will your legs.
So after you are done stretching you lower body (assuming you have already started stretching everyday) take the time to stretch your upper body also it can help you just as much at times.
I dont care how you do it or which of the many stretches you choose, I JUST CARE THAT YOU DO IT!
Muscles to Stretch
- Shoulders
- Triceps
- Biceps
- Chest
- Latissimus dorsi
- Lower Back
(original image by vosmt)
