3 Reasons Why Stretching Doesn’t Work -And What You Can Do About It

From Coach Jonathan Wong,

Hi fellow health enthusiasts, many of you already know that stretching is an important part of taking care of your body. In fact there are countless videos, books and classes on stretching. Stretching is considered safe and healthy, and in most cases it is. But stretching also takes time and effort.

Here are 3 common mistakes that people make when trying to stretch to improve their flexibility and joint health.

Mistake #1: They force the stretch. I have seen this everywhere from kids ballet and gymnastics classes, to yoga studios to personal trainers in fitness centers. If the client is not flexible the advice is to “bear the pain and just go deeper!”. This can actually cause more trauma to your body, making you too “loose” in your joints and increasing risk of injury, and decreasing speed and strength.

Mistake #2: They stretch too long. The common stretching theory is to hold the stretching position for 30-60 seconds to “feel” the stretch. Unfortunately, this is a mistake that actually starves the stretched area of oxygen! When this happens, your body responds by resisting the stretch by laying down scar tissue that makes you LESS flexible!

Mistake #3: They stretch the wrong way for a particular joint or for a particular activity. Some kinds of stretching are great before gym workouts, some are great before games like soccer, rugby, or basketball, and some are great before going to bed. But a lot of this depends on the individual. Stretching needs to be customized for each person’s needs rather than done in a “one size fits all” method that is usually the case.

Ask yourself…

• What if your time and effort was not well spent?
• What if your could improve your flexibility faster than you ever thought possible?
• What if you were not KEEPING the flexibility gains that you thought you had made?
• What if you were stretching wrongly and perhaps causing more harm than good?

I myself had many of these questions in the past. And one of the resources that helped me most was work by Ann and Chris Frederick. They are probably the world’s top experts on stretching and are author of the top selling book for stretching among health specialists called “Stretch To Win”.

I know that many trainers and clients have similar questions.

The great news is that I have convinced my friend and fellow coaching colleague Keith Bearne to give a seminar in Singapore on stretching. He is Australia’s top qualified stretching coach, certified by Ann and Chris’ organization.  This means he has spend hundreds of hours learning, studying and practicing the science and art of stretching and is coming here to share it with us.

In this seminar you will learn exactly how to…

• Know exactly what parts of your body needs to be stretched (hint: it’s not usually your muscles)
• Recognize the benefits of stretching and why you MUST fit it into your busy schedule
• Understand the principles of stretching so you can apply them anywhere, anytime, with any other stretch
• Assess your own flexibility so that you can prioritize your stretching
• Do the top 8 stretches that almost all of us need most
• Add individualized stretches to your customized stretching plan
• Perform PNF stretching properly for maximal gains (PNF is a “fancy” word for stretching that corporates with your nervous system for maximum results)
• Relieve common issues like IT-Band syndrome, Shin splints, Piriformis syndrome, Lower back pain, Headaches and Shoulder Pain
• Enhance flexibility with nutrition and supplementation.

In addition you will receive seminar notes and a discount on supplements purchased on the seminar day.

Some Pics Of Keith In Action (These stretches work even if you don’t have a massage table with you)

Here are what some of Keith’s clients are saying about the benefits of his stretching methods.

“As a circus performer, I have found Keith’s stretching methods very beneficial to my overall well being, and for keeping my body in peak condition for my performing career. As a circus performer and trainer, I have always been involved in physically demanding sport and activity where it be rugby, hockey, martial arts, cheer leading, dance, gymnastics coaching and as a gymnastic scholarship holder at the Australian Institute of Sport.
I have always struggled with flexibility. Keith’s stretching sessions loosen my stiff and sore muscles and joints in the most gentle and relaxing way. I am getting results and getting closer to my goals without having to go through the pain normally involved with stretching.
Keith’s stretching method has science and real results behind it; I wish it had been available years ago to replace the old fashioned painful stretching techniques. I hope this stretching method becomes available to everybody who wants the most out of their body and general well being.”
Renee Koehler
Former Elite Gymnast, World Level Cheerleader and Circus Performer.

Keith has applied his fascial stretch therapy techniques with many of my clients, including myself.
I have been extremely impressed with the significant results he has accomplished. The rapid benefits we have achieved in our training and sport performance has been huge.
Personally Keith has help alleviate shoulder and back pain that had limited my pressing and squat performance.
I highly recommend Keith for all range of motion issues, stiffness and relaxation.
John Povey
Strength Coach, PICP LVL II, Owner Povey Performance, Melbourne, Australia

“I would like to highly recommend Keith Bearne’s Stretching program. I was totally amazed at my results after only four sessions with Keith. The Stretch to Win technique really works!
As someone who had exercised excessively for many many years, putting up with the pain due to overtraining and bad posture, I was impressed to discover improvements immediately. After each session the pain started to ease, my posture improved, my rang of motion increased and my gait flowed more easily. My biggest surprise came on completion of his program, when I first attempted Squats and Split Squats. For the first time ever I was able to perform these exercises without pain. My range of motion was the best it had ever been and the exercises felt natural to perform.
Keith has shown me what stretches I need to do to maintain my condition and they have helped enormously.
I was surprised by Keith ability to make such a dramatic difference in such a short period. Don’t hesitate give Keith’s program a try. You will be rewarded by the improvement in your overall performance.”
Jo Carmichael
Personal Trainer and Long Distance Cyclist

After my very first session with Keith my hips feel like they’ve had a recondition. Just really lose and generally nice. Honestly haven’t had a treatment like that before.
Jake Sofer
Dancer with the Australian Ballet

If elite level ballet dancers and circus performers can benefit from these stretching techniques, I am sure you (and I!) can as well. This is the ONLY time that this seminar will be held for the remainder of 2010 and the first half of 2011.

Don’t keep your pain and in-flexibility with you for another year!

Here are the seminar details:

• Date: 18 Sep 2010 (Saturday)
• Time: 2-5pm
• Location: Genesis Performance Center, #01-20 Mountbatten square, 229 Mountbatten Road, Singapore 398007
• Attire: Comfortable, loose clothing, shoes not needed.

Fees:

• Public -  SGD 75
• Genesis Performance Center Members – SGD 50

I too will be sitting in at this seminar to learn more, and assisting Keith where needed. Just consider me a fellow enthusiastic student!

If achieving great joint health, flexibility and pain reduction is something you are interested in, click on the paypal link below to sign up. Places are very limited so that we can give maximum attention to the people who attend.

Just as with all programs at the Genesis Performance Center, this seminar comes with a 100% money back guarantee. If you do not feel that the information can help you improve your flexibility and reduce your tension and risk of injury, simply approach me or one of my staff at the end of the seminar and ask for a full refund of your money. No questions asked.

You have nothing to lose except your poor flexibility!

Click On The Link Below To Reserve Your Space (Genesis Members Please Sign Up At The Gym)

If you have any questions please email support @ genesisperformancecenter.com (remove spaces)