7 Common Stretching Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Efforts

Stretching not only increases your flexibility and range of motion, but it will also improve your performance in workouts and all physical activity. By stretching, you increase blood flow to your muscles and even help relieve stress and calm your mind, and it’s one of the best ways to ward off injury. “Regular stretching is one of the most important keys to preventing injuries during normal everyday activities as well as health and fitness programs,” says Michael Pappas, PT, the CEO and cofounder of Pappas Physical and Hand Therapy in Providence, R.I. But as with any sort of fitness move or activity, proper form matters. Even if you have the best intentions, when done incorrectly, stretching can have the opposite effect: either hampering your performance goals or putting you at greater risk of injury. Experts break down seven of the most common mistakes people make when trying to get loose—and the right way to stretch instead. RELATED: 6 Feel-Good Stretches You Should Do Every Night Before Bed RELATED: 5 Easy, Everyday Hip Stretches for Anyone Who Sits All Day