Flexibility, or the ability to maximize the range of motion at a given joint, is one of the ten general physical skills. Flexibility is, therefore, essential for improved overall conditioning and will decrease unless worked on daily. The key to improved flexibility is stretching. Stretching improves flexibility, assists with improved weightlifting technique, and reduces the chances for injury and joint strain. And stretching can be done anywhere and in short, productive bouts lasting less than five minutes at a time.
We always ask our CrossFitters to do a light, active warmup and some light stretching, usually the sampson stretch, before any CrossFit workout. But we always have our CrossFitters stretch at the end of our workouts. Why? Because that's the most important time to stretch those warm, fatigued muscles and maintain our range of motion while the muscles are relaxed.
Stretching should focus on muscles, not connective tissues. So don't push your joints beyond their normal function. Doing so can lead to pain and injury.
Like anything else we do in CrossFit, if you want to get better at it, you have to do more of it. So, if you want to become more flexible, then you have to stretch more - and not just when you come to class! To find more stretches, click the link on the left to take you to the Stretching Institute, or click HERE for another source of excellent stretches. You can also read a more indepth article on stretching and flexibility by clicking HERE.
