Why You Should Include Flexibility Workouts
As a tactical professional, you know the fitness requirements of your profession. From the ability to run a certain distance without keeling over to the need for a certain level of body mass you can throw around as needed, the physical elements of the job are always a concern for the professional. While you may focus on weights and cardio as your main go-to in this aspect of life, there are a few great reasons why you should consider adding in some flexibility workouts. Usually yoga, Pilates, or any other workout designed specifically to work on flexibility, these are the workouts you might overlook. Here are a few main reasons why you should include flexibility workouts in your fitness plan.
- Improves range of motion
One of the biggest reasons why you should include flexibility workouts in your fitness plan is because it will help you improve your range of motion. The body's ability to perform certain tasks is dependent on the available range of motion in areas such as muscles and joints. The more you work on flexibility, the more flexible you become which means the range of motion will increase. This can be helpful when working in a tactical situation since things can be pretty unpredictable from day to day.
- Shortens recovery time between workouts
When you do weights or cardio, you are testing the endurance of your muscles. While weights and cardio are important, the use of flexibility workouts can help in a big way when it comes to recovery time. Usually called an active rest day in most fitness plans, flexibility workout days allow the muscles to heal and recover from the exertion of the previous day while still allowing you to be active. It can also help reduce the possibility of injury caused by muscle strain or overexertion to take flexibility days in between more intense workout days.
- Offers mental health benefits
Doing flexibility workouts can have a big impact on stress. For example, yoga isn't about running your body to its breaking point like cardio. This flexibility workout is about slowing down, focusing on the breath, and mastering new moves with patience and focus. This can lead to lower stress. There are also studies which suggest that doing yoga can help with pain tolerance as a result. Those with a high-stress rating are more susceptible to a lowered pain tolerance according to one study. Yoga, in particular, can also help with depression and anxiety.
Sources
https://uk.edubirdie.com/blog/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression
https://www.realestatezamalek.com/excerpts/excerpts/the-importance-and-purpose-of-flexibility