10 Best Stretches for Your Whole Body After a Workout

When you’re tired, hungry and just finished working out, sometimes the last thing you want to do is stretch. While it may not always feel necessary, stretching is an imperative part of setting the stage for optimal recovery. By stretching, you allow your body the chance to gradually slow down your heart rate to its normal state, cool down the proper way, and more effectively break down of lactic acid – all of which set the stage for muscle recovery and repair, improve future range of motion and flexibility, and begin to increase blood circulation back to the muscles.

We’ve compiled 10 of our favorite, popular stretches that give your whole body a little extra love and closure it needs after a workout.

1. Hamstring Stretch

Nearly all workouts include some sort of leg movement, so this is an easy stretch you can do to help relieve tightened leg muscles especially after long cardio sessions or kickboxing. The legs also play a role in a lot of tension that can be felt in the lower back, so stretching these areas can provide prevention and relief of flares to the sciatic nerve as well.

2. Arm & Wrist Stretch

The arms, and especially the wrists, are often overlooked after many routines. The wrist is one of the most complex joints in the body, and allows a wide range of movement particularly for bodyweight and upper body exercises and movements. If you perform activities including push-ups, planks, mountain climbers or a lot of circuit training or bootcamp exercises, these stretches can be so vital in maintaining and improving wrist mobility, as well as providing some recovery to the upper and lower arms.

3. Child’s Pose

The Child’s Pose, also known as ‘Balsana’ as it is referred to in Yoga, is one of the best stretches immediately following any type of workout. In addition to relaxing and calming the brain and the body, as well as increasing flexibility, it and decompresses the spine, hips, core, ankles while providing relief to the back and neck.

4. Side Stretch

A good side stretch is another great movement to supplement at the end of any workout. Side stretches help lengthen and stretch the intercostal muscles between the ribs and abdomen, so it can be especially beneficial to include them after any core workouts in particular. They also work to improve the shortening of muscles that can occur from poor posture and long periods of sitting, and therefore are recommended if you have any extended period of sitting in your work or as part of any routine in your lifestyle.

5. Seated Spinal Twist

The seated Spinal Glute Twist not only encourages spine mobility, but can actually help aid digestion, and stretch the glutes. The pose actually helps lengthen the spine which decompresses the vertebrae, giving an energy lift all while stretching out the glute and the hip. This stretch is sure to feel fantastic after any sort of HIIT, cardio, kickboxing or bootcamp-style workout.

6. Butterfly

The butterfly is one of the most beneficial stretches you can do for all the adductor muscles of the inner thigh, and it also serves as a great hip opener. It’s also helpful in relieving muscle tightness after long periods of sitting, and supports flexibility and muscle stiffness within the groin and lower back.

7. Hip Flexor Lunge

The hip flexor lunge has a few variations. We love it because it is one fo the best hip openers that includes the leg muscles. calves and glutes, all while giving you an opportunity to stretch your arms simultaneously.

8. Side Lunge Stretch

The side lunge is a nice switch from the regular lunges. It reaches the lower body muscles from a different angle compared to regular forward and backward stretches that often neglect the full range of movement used throughout your workouts. It can also add a little extra sculpting and toning to your legs.

9. Cobra Pose

The Cobra Pose, (also known as Bhujangasana in Yoga), is a great stretch for the core and back. It stretches the spine and adds strength, also giving the shoulders, arms, abs, and glutes all a chance for additional toning. It is also known to improve symptoms of sciatica.

10. Standing Quadricep Stretch

The Quad Stretch is an important movement after any routines involving a lot of leg movement. Stretching these muscles can reduce injury and potential for soreness, as well as improve range of motion while increasing circulation.