Having leg muscles that are stiff and tight can make you feel lethargic and less motivated to move. The muscles in your legs can become stiff for a variety of reasons, including staying sedentary for too long and certain medical conditions like arthritis. Fortunately, however, having stiff, achy legs does not have to slow down your day. There are several easy ways to reduce uncomfortable muscle stiffness, letting your legs move free and easy so they can take you wherever you want to go.
Step 1
Get up and move around. Sitting for long periods is a common cause of stiff leg muscles. If you sit down at a desk all day at work, simply walking across the room and back can help loosen stiff leg muscles and encourage circulation.
Step 2
Submerge your legs in warm water for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Warm water works to relax the tight, stiff muscles in your legs and to ease any stiffness affecting your knee, ankle or hip joints. Try taking a dip in a warm Jacuzzi or taking a soothing soak in your bathtub.
Step 3
Press down firmly on the muscles in your legs and rub them with a back and forth motion to massage them. Also try using a hand-held massage device to help penetrate deeper into the tight muscle tissue. Turn the hand-held massaging device on and place it on top of the stiff muscles in your legs, allowing the vibration to loosen up any tension.
Step 4
Stretch out your calf muscles by standing up, facing a wall with your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands against the wall and slowly lean forward while sliding one leg backward. Hold the stretch for about 20 seconds and then repeat with the opposite leg.
Step 5
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor to begin stretching your hamstrings. Lifting one leg up, hold your thigh with both hands and gently pull your leg toward your chest. Hold the stretch for about 20 seconds and then repeat with the opposite leg.
Step 6
Stand up facing a wall with one palm placed against it to begin stretching your quadriceps. Lift one leg behind you using one hand to hold onto your heel while gently pulling upward. Hold the stretch for about 20 seconds and then repeat with the opposite leg.
Things You'll Need
- Massage oil
- Handheld massaging device
