When people talk about getting quick abs, they often discuss exercises for abs, abs exercise equipment, or an ab diet.  And these are all very important topics.  However, people often forget another very important ingredient for getting quick abs: stretching.  Yes, stretching.  I know it’s not sexy, but stretching is an incredibly important aspect of any ab work out.  Now, let’s answer a few of the most often asked questions about stretching.

Why is stretching so important?

First and foremost, if you don’t properly stretch your muscles before a workout, you risk sustaining various injuries such as muscles and joint strains.  Stretching before a workout warms up your muscles, and it increases your range of motion, which helps to decrease muscle resistance during work out activities.

What are some of the other benefits of stretching?

In addition to increasing your range of motion and decreasing muscle stiffness, proper stretching also helps relieve aches and pains after your work out.  Aside from work out benefits, stretching also helps improve your posture by helping to keep your muscle groups in better alignment.  It also helps to improve your blood circulation while distributing more oxygen throughout your body.  Studies have also shown that stretching helps you to reduce stress and maintain mental clarity.

Over the years, many abdominal stretches have been created to gain the benefits listed above.  These stretches include techniques such as Upward Dog, Bow, Child’s Pose, and Spine Roll.  Upward Dog is the most popular stretch, and it is extremely easy to perform.  Begin by lying flat on your stomach.  Then, use your arms to push your upper body off the floor while keeping your hips and legs in contact with the floor.  Be sure to keep your shoulders down — do not shrug them.  Now, hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds.  Then, return to the starting position.  Repeat this stretch 5-10 times.

And there you have it!  Stretching is a very important element of your ab work out, and you should be sure to stretch properly before and after your work out to maximize its benefits.