Muscle flexibility and pliability are vital to your long-term success as an athlete. It is possible that strengthening your muscles can work at cross-purposes to keeping those muscles flexible. So be sure to include time in your training regimen that is dedicated to your muscle (and fascia) health and not just becoming stronger.
Muscle health can take several forms:
- Static Stretching
- Dynamic Stretching
- Yoga/Mobility Training
- Massage
- Foam Rolling
- Myofascial Release
- A myriad of other bodywork practices
Here is an example of a recovery stretching routine from Venus Williams:
We generally advocate dynamic or “active isolated stretching”. Here is an example of a lower body active isolated stretching routine:
Lunge and Hold
Reclining Hero
Knee to Chest
Seated Cross Glute Stretch
Supine Spinal Twist
Pigeon