Leg days may be challenging. To achieve optimum results, it's often required to lift exceedingly large weights.
Recovering stretches is far more important when it comes to leg workouts because there's a chance of injury. Leg stretches may assist you in keeping the lower body mobile and avoiding injury and pain.
Stretching is an excellent way to relieve anxiety and stress. Many emotions are traapped in the lower part of the body, particularly the hips. Leg stretches that relieve hip tightness can also help you feel better emotionally.
Don't put off doing these leg stretches as soon as you complete your workout so you don't miss out on them due to procrastination.
Leg stretches after leg day
Maintaining complete lower-body mobility is critical for long-term well-being and good health. Doing leg stretches after leg day is really significant, yet it is easily overlooked by many. Here are five of them:
1) Quad stretch
The quad stretch relaxes the quadriceps, which are located in the front of the thighs. These muscles perform a great deal of legwork and are vital in squats as well as lunges.
- Lie face down with your left hand propping your head up. You can also do this stretch while lying on your side.
- Pull the heel of your right foot towards your buttocks, and straighten your left leg to stabilize yourself after a few seconds.
- Hold onto the ankle and hold for 30 seconds before returning to the starting position.
- Change sides by bringing your left foot behind you and straightening the right knee.
2) Cross-over hamstring stretch
Hamstring stretches aid in the relief of back discomfort, improvement of posture, and prevention of stiffness and injury.
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that attach to the pelvis and leg bones. They help bend the knees and tilt the pelvis. If they're overly tight, they may cause pain in the lower back, knees and legs.
- Cross one leg over the other, and stand.
- Bend forward at the hips, and attempt to touch your hands to the floor. Maintain a straight back knee.
- Hold the position for 30 seconds.
3) Walking calf stretch
Calf muscles extend from the inner side of the knee to almost half of the lower thigh. Learning how to stretch the muscles of the calf efficiently can help minimise stiffness, discomfort and pain associated with these muscles.
Begin on all fours, heels flat on the floor, hands flat on the floor, buttocks tilted up in the air. This is your starting point. Lift one heel; swiftly lower it, and lift the other heel. Lift your heels alternately for 15-30 seconds to complete one set.
4) Lateral leg swing
Dynamic lateral leg swings have been an excellent way to warm up and stretch the adductor and abductor muscles.
- Get up tall, and lean against a wall.
- Shift the weight to your right leg, nd swing the other leg to the left, across the body and back to the right.
- Repeat with the opposite leg till the set is complete.
5) Hip flexor stretch
People who have tight hips may benefit from hip flexor stretches. Whether you have a lazy or active lifestyle, extended sitting or exercise can cause hip pain.
Hip flexors are a set of muscles that assist you in moving the lower body. Both sides of the body have hip flexors.
- Place your feet approximately hip-width apart.
- Step forward with one leg, slightly bending the knee while maintaining the opposite leg straight.
- Lean forward gently till you feel a mild pull on the outermost part of your hip.
- Pause for 30 seconds before alternating sides.
Leg day may be really taxing on the muscles, so having a recovery regimen in place is critical. An excellent set of stretches, a pair of compression sleeves and plenty of rest can go a long way.