According to Dr. David Geir, sports medicine director at the University of South Carolina, flexibility is the third pillar of fitness next to cardiovascular conditioning and strength training. Engaging in drills and stretching exercises will help you increase your flexibility.
Standard Static Stretching
Incorporating stretching into your daily routine will help increase your flexibility. Stretch your entire body for at least 10 minutes of stretching per day. CNN Health notes that stretching can help prevent injury and may even improve circulation and increase blood flow. Static stretching is the most common form of stretching and involves stretching and holding a stretch for a specified period of time.
Strength Training
Gaining strength by lifting weight can actually make you more flexible. According to fitness author Pavel Tsatsouline, a stronger muscle is more able to relax into a deeper stretch and does not contract as hard as a weaker muscle. The idea is that stronger muscles can go through a deeper range of motion and therefore aid in flexibility. Combining stretching with weight lifting can create even more pliable muscles.
Yoga
According to the Mayo Clinic, performing yoga can aid in flexibility in addition to balance, strength and range of motion. Yoga involves getting into poses that challenge the body and stretch muscles. These poses are held for extended periods of time making muscles stronger and more flexible.
Pilates
Pilates is another workout and conditioning routine that aids in flexibility and strength. According to Teens Health, pilates involves a series of mat exercises that focus on the core or torso. Teens Health says that pilates focuses on using your body weight for resistance and getting into different poses and exercises to train the body. These poses challenge the muscles making them stronger and more flexible, but pilates is easier than yoga especially for beginners, according to Teens Health.
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