Stretching: Foundation of Athletic Success
What's truly important in your training? NOT getting injured. Here's why stretching everyday can achieve this lofty goal.
As soon as you step into a gym you’ll see the way-too-tight Lycra group, the omnipresent gym-rat with zero social skills but a years supply of Powerbars (and subsequently, enough sugar to power an engine operated by Kindergartners running on a wheel) but you don’t seem to see enough stretching.
And stretching one’s neck to check out the “spin” class does not count peeps.
I won’t even address the demographic that is in the spin class. Have fun peddling.
One notices the same athletes that STRETCH also have good form, drink more water (instead of bloating pre-workout drinks with more artificial sugar than Al Roker’s coffee) and generally handle a whole lot of free-weights. These same athletes don’t seem to be hobbling around even when they’re 60+ years old (a la Tim Tyler). The need to NOT be sidelined with a sudden injury or even the more subtle, but altogether crippling effect of neglect on one’s joints, that simply breaks one down with the beat of “Father Time’s” clock is ultimately paramount to one’s physical success in this life.
So, why is stretching needed now more than ever? Have we entered into a new age of enlightened thinkers with more concern for the long-term solvency of one’s body (i.e. you can still lift heavy objects later in life) as well as the overall benefit of the athletic community?
I hope so. The competition of anything athletic is not simply for entertainment purposes. Grinding out sets and running sprints slowly, but surely, molds athletes into men and women of integrity more often than not. The collective athletic community ultimately brings innovation, real world research, and well-rounded individuals that will most likely have a regular “9-5” job.
Regardless of the end result of any competition, the intangibles learned and garnered for life helps change lives. Maybe this “enlightened” generation recognizes this and takes heed from our former generations and decides to…stretch...(among other things).
It is ALL about consistency. No one can be the greatest athlete per their genetic potential unless they consistently stretch as well as consistently get 7-8 hours of sleep, eat naturally, etc. And even then…there’s no guarantee of one’s individual athletic success…but one might as well ensure the most advantages one can acquire.
Here’s an easy one: stretch. And stretch every day. No exceptions.
Until next time…train harder and smarter.
Jacob Tyler
www.TylerGrip.com
www.TylerMethod.com
www.twitter.com/TylerGrip
ttyler@tylergrip.com
What's truly important in your training? NOT getting injured. Here's why stretching everyday can achieve this lofty goal.
As soon as you step into a gym you’ll see the way-too-tight Lycra group, the omnipresent gym-rat with zero social skills but a years supply of Powerbars (and subsequently, enough sugar to power an engine operated by Kindergartners running on a wheel) but you don’t seem to see enough stretching.
And stretching one’s neck to check out the “spin” class does not count peeps.
I won’t even address the demographic that is in the spin class. Have fun peddling.
One notices the same athletes that STRETCH also have good form, drink more water (instead of bloating pre-workout drinks with more artificial sugar than Al Roker’s coffee) and generally handle a whole lot of free-weights. These same athletes don’t seem to be hobbling around even when they’re 60+ years old (a la Tim Tyler). The need to NOT be sidelined with a sudden injury or even the more subtle, but altogether crippling effect of neglect on one’s joints, that simply breaks one down with the beat of “Father Time’s” clock is ultimately paramount to one’s physical success in this life.
So, why is stretching needed now more than ever? Have we entered into a new age of enlightened thinkers with more concern for the long-term solvency of one’s body (i.e. you can still lift heavy objects later in life) as well as the overall benefit of the athletic community?
I hope so. The competition of anything athletic is not simply for entertainment purposes. Grinding out sets and running sprints slowly, but surely, molds athletes into men and women of integrity more often than not. The collective athletic community ultimately brings innovation, real world research, and well-rounded individuals that will most likely have a regular “9-5” job.
Regardless of the end result of any competition, the intangibles learned and garnered for life helps change lives. Maybe this “enlightened” generation recognizes this and takes heed from our former generations and decides to…stretch...(among other things).
It is ALL about consistency. No one can be the greatest athlete per their genetic potential unless they consistently stretch as well as consistently get 7-8 hours of sleep, eat naturally, etc. And even then…there’s no guarantee of one’s individual athletic success…but one might as well ensure the most advantages one can acquire.
Here’s an easy one: stretch. And stretch every day. No exceptions.
Until next time…train harder and smarter.
Jacob Tyler
www.TylerGrip.com
www.TylerMethod.com
www.twitter.com/TylerGrip
ttyler@tylergrip.com
I can't wait for the next flabby guy to tell me to go to a spin class...
Stretching improves intramuscular bloodflow, which means faster recoveries between workouts along with fewer injuries. When you can't train, you can't get better. And that's unnacceptable.
