So, in short – Yes!
Most people often overlook stretching and prefer other exercises when it comes to weight loss. Some of the most popular ones on their list are hitting the gym, walking, and running. While these exercises are great for your overall health, fitness enthusiasts recommend stretching as a crucial routine component.
Now that you’re confused about stretching, know that it moves a joint through its full range of motion. In addition to movement, it maintains optimal motion in your joints, decreasing the risk of injuries while reducing stress.
Some of the health benefits of stretching includes:
- Increases the blood flow
- Achieves or maintains entire movement
- Eliminate the symptoms of injuries
- Reverse the effects of sustained positions like sitting.
Performing stretches regularly can help you get better, faster, and stronger during your workouts. The experts at Stretch Studio claim stretching to have effective techniques that swear to improve performance. They further say that it increases a range of motion, enhances blood circulation, and improves muscular strength.
Calories Burned By Stretching
Stretching works well in burning a few extra calories. However, when clubbed with maximum caloric expenditure, it is wise to consider high-intensity exercises like interval training, jogging and walking.
Top 3 Stretches You Can Do To Burn Calories to Lose Weight
Now that stretching seems to impress you, know that there are some exercises that you can do to lose weight and have a toned body. Some of the most popular ones are:
The Cobra Stretch
Cobra Stretch is one of the best stretches to blast belly fat. It targets the abdominal region and helps burn calories. Additionally, it offers several health benefits, such as:
- Tones the abdominal muscles
- Relieves backaches
- Strengthens the spikes and shoulders
- Improves digestion
- Improves blood circulation
You can efficiently perform the Cobra Stretch by following the below steps:
- Lie down on your mat and stretch your arms
- Lift your upper body
- Lean your head back
- Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
Note: Know that it puts a lot of pressure on the abdomen. Thus women who are pregnant should not perform this pose.
The Bridge Pose
The Bridge Pose is well-known for reducing belly fat and strengthening core muscles. It requires you to hold your body against the gravitational force, and this resulting force acts on the muscles and burns fat. This pose targets hips, legs, glutes, and abs.
Follow the below steps to do this pose:
- Lie on your back and bend your knees
- Adjust yourself
- Lift your hips
- Tuck your chin
- Put your hands behind your back
- Relax your glutes
- Lift your hips higher
- Slowly release
The Warrior Pose : Lose Weight
The Warrior Pose aims at the core body muscles to help you reduce weight and flatten your abs. This pose has three variations: Warrior I, Warrior II, and Warrior III.
Performing these three variations regularly can help you lose weight and tone muscles effectively. Warrior pose is the best way to keep your muscles active for a long time. So, how to do it?
- From a standing position, take a big step from your left foot towards the back of your mat
- Bend your right foot 90 degrees and keep your back leg straight;
- Put your arms towards the ceiling
- Hold this pose for 30 seconds and switch legs, and repeat.
The Verdict- Over To You
So now you have a glimpse of the types of stretching and how they can help you shed pounds.
Since flexibility training won’t burn enough calories for making a significant difference to your energy balance, pairing stretching may work wonders. It is because you’ll benefit from a healthier body that feels good to you in and out. Additionally, when your body feels good, you’re more likely to move around, burn more calories, and enhance your chances of weight loss.
Thereby, it is wise to spend at least twenty minutes stretching to reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.