Flexibility plays a huge role in athletic performance. Proper stretching helps prevent injuries, improves mobility, and enhances muscle recovery. Whether you’re warming up or cooling down, these five essential stretches will keep you moving efficiently and pain-free.
a. World’s Greatest Stretch (Full-Body Mobility)
This dynamic stretch improves flexibility in the hips, hamstrings, and back while opening up the shoulders.
✔️ How to Do It:
Start in a lunge position, with your right foot forward and left leg extended back.
Place your left hand on the ground for support.
Rotate your right arm toward the sky, opening up your chest.
Hold for 20-30 seconds, then switch sides.
🔹 Best For: Pre-workout warm-ups, hip mobility, and spinal rotation.
b. Standing Quad Stretch (Knee & Hip Flexor Flexibility)
Tight quads can lead to knee pain and reduced sprinting power. This stretch helps loosen them up.
✔️ How to Do It:
Stand tall and grab your right ankle with your right hand.
Pull your foot towards your glutes, keeping your knees together.
Hold onto a wall for balance if needed.
Hold for 20-30 seconds, then switch sides.
🔹 Best For: Runners, sprinters, and reducing knee strain.
c. Seated Hamstring Stretch (Lower Back & Leg Flexibility)
Tight hamstrings can lead to lower back pain and limited athletic performance.
✔️ How to Do It:
Sit on the floor with one leg extended and the other bent.
Reach towards your toes on the extended leg, keeping your back straight.
Hold for 20-30 seconds, then switch sides.
🔹 Best For: Injury prevention, reducing lower back strain, and improving running efficiency.
d. Cat-Cow Stretch (Spinal Mobility & Core Flexibility)
This stretch keeps your spine and core flexible, reducing back stiffness and improving movement.
✔️ How to Do It:
Get on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
Inhale, arch your back, and lift your head (Cow Pose).
Exhale, round your back, and tuck your chin (Cat Pose).
Repeat for 30-60 seconds.
🔹 Best For: Athletes who need core stability and spinal flexibility.
e. Butterfly Stretch (Hip & Groin Mobility)
This stretch increases hip mobility, reducing tightness in the groin and inner thighs.
✔️ How to Do It:
Sit on the floor with soles of your feet together and knees bent outward.
Hold your feet and gently push your knees towards the ground.
Keep your back straight and hold for 20-30 seconds.
🔹 Best For: Jumping, cutting movements, and overall hip flexibility.
Final Takeaway
Incorporating these five easy stretches into your routine will keep your body flexible, reduce injury risk, and improve overall performance.
_______________________________________Azeez Ladipo is a former professional Rugby player and captain of the Nigeria Rugby Men’s National 7s and 15s Teams. Ladipo is a thoroughbred Nigeria rugby player who grew up playing Rugby at U14 level in Lagos Rugby Club under the tutelage of Sir Martin Crawford, Yinka Marinho and Tunde Akerele amongst others. He later rose through the ranks and made his national team debut as a teenager during the 2005 Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon in Lagos and against Senegal in Dakar. “He joined Racing Rugby Club in 2005, Cowrie Rugby Club in 2009 before joining Chicago Blaze Rugby Club in the USA. Since becoming the General Manager, Nigeria Rugby has moved from 24th ranked team to no 8th in 7s and World Rugby recently listed Nigeria as one of the six emerging rugby-playing nations experiencing strong growth in the sport alongside countries such as Belgium, Singapore, Ghana, and Zambia. He also helped the NRFF secure kit sponsorship deals with foremost sports apparel companies BLK and UMBRO. Twitter : @azeezladipo IG: @hayzed101 Facebook: @azeezladipo
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