31 Simple Stretches to Help You Become More Flexible, Acc...

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, Alleviate stiff hips and tight hamstrings with these easy-to-master flexibility exercises.

Adele Jackson-Gibson is a certified fitness coach, model, and writer. She earned her master’s in Journalism from NYU, her bachelor’s in Literature from Yale University, and has since written for various sports, fitness, beauty, and culture outlets. (shocking, we know)

MoMo Productions//You may not have your sights set on an Olympic gymnastics career, but there are plenty of reasons to become more flexible—especially if you work a stationary job.

The Details

There are all kinds of stretches—stretches for healthy joints, arm stretches, hip stretches, and more—that can make a huge difference in daily life. “Our bodies grow sore and immobile because of a combination of muscular tension, weak circulation, inflammation, and lack of movement,” explains Portia Page, C.

, a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and Balanced Body Educator. “When we stay in one position for too long—like sitting at a desk or lounging on the couch—our muscles tighten, and fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, can become stiff and dehydrated.

Why This Matters

Without regular movement, joints also lose their range of motion, and muscles may become shortened or weak. ” Meet the Expert: Portia Page, C. A lack of flexibility can also affect more active people if they go too hard, too fast without warming up or cooling down, Page notes.

Medical professionals are taking note of this development.

Key Takeaways

• Below, we’ve listed the best stretches to alleviate pain and increase your flexibility and range of motion.
• These stretches will also help you avoid injury during cardio or strength training.
• Gently lean into each position and observe which ones feel particularly challenging.

The Bottom Line

These stretches will also help you avoid injury during cardio or strength training. Gently lean into each position and observe which ones feel particularly challenging.

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