Bend it Like Sophie: The Unforeseen Importance of Flexibility Training in Your Routine

Let’s set the scene, shall we? It’s 7 am on a Monday morning. You’re sipping your flat white, scrolling through Instagram, and you stumble upon an image of a yogi in a pretzel-like position that would make even a contortionist blush. You glance down at your own unassuming limbs, give them an experimental wiggle and think to yourself, “Well, that’s about as likely as me giving up coffee.”

But here’s the thing – flexibility isn’t just for yogis or gymnasts or people who can touch their toes without grimacing. It’s for everyone – yes, even us ordinary Gen Zs who struggle to reach the top shelf without wincing.

Now before you start picturing yourself twisted into human knots, let me clarify what I mean by flexibility training. It doesn’t necessarily mean being able to perform circus tricks or fold yourself into a suitcase (although if you can do that, kudos!). Rather it involves simple stretching exercises that help increase your range of motion and reduce muscle stiffness.

So why is this so important? Well, gather ’round kids; Auntie Sophie has some wisdom to share.

The Perks of Being a Bendy Straw

Firstly, flexibility training helps prevent injuries. If your muscles are tight and tense all the time (like my attitude when someone takes the last Tim Tam), they’re more likely to strain or tear during physical activity. Regular stretching can help keep those muscles loosey-goosey and less prone to injury.

Secondly, good flexibility can improve your performance in other exercises. Ever tried doing squats with stiff hamstrings? It’s about as fun as a Vegemite sandwich without the butter. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to move your body in different ways, making those workouts less of a chore and more of a joy (or at least, less of a torture).

Thirdly, flexibility training can help correct poor posture. If you’re like me and spend half your life hunched over a laptop (the other half is spent hunting for snacks), then chances are your posture is about as straight as my hair on a humid day. Regular stretching can help align your muscles correctly and improve your overall body posture.

How to Get Bendy Without Breaking

So now that we’ve established why you should be adding flexibility training to your routine, let’s talk about how to do it without ending up in the emergency room.

First things first – always warm up before you stretch. Cold muscles are like grumpy teenagers – they don’t like being forced into anything. A quick five-minute jog or some jumping jacks should do the trick.

When you start stretching, remember to breathe. It might sound obvious but trust me, when you’re trying to reach your toes for the first time since primary school, it’s easy to forget basic human functions.

Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds – no cheating! It takes time for your muscles to relax and lengthen; rushing through it won’t get you anywhere (trust me, I’ve tried).

If something hurts beyond normal discomfort – stop! Pain is not gain when it comes to stretching; it’s usually a sign that something isn’t right.

The Wrap Up

Incorporating flexibility training into our routines may seem daunting at first glance – especially when our idea of “flexibility” is deciding whether to have pizza or pasta for dinner. However, with a little patience and consistency, we can all become a bit more bendy and reap the benefits in our daily lives.

So next time you see that yogi on Instagram, instead of scrolling past with a sigh, give your own limbs a little stretch. You might be surprised at what they can do. And remember – no one was born being able to touch their toes; it’s something you work towards, one stretch at a time.