There are many ways to organize your exercise program, but sometimes the basics are the best place to start.

Two of the most important components to incorporate in your exercise program are flexibility and core strength.

FLEXIBILITY

It’s important to stretch everyday. Here are just some of the benefits of maintaining flexibility:

• Stretching helps slow the degeneration of the joints which comes from a lack in range of motion.

• Reduces your risk of injury. Flexible muscle are less likely to become injured from movement Increasing the

range of motion in a joint, may decrease the resistance on your muscles during various activities.

• Improves posture—stretching the muscles of the lower back, shoulders and chest will help keep your back in

better alignment and improve posture.

• Improves efficiency and overall functional performance. Since a flexible joint requires less energy to move

through a wider range of motion, a flexible body improves overall performance by creating more energy

efficient movements.

• Prepares the body for the stress of exercise. Dynamic stretching prior to exercise allows the muscles to loosen up

for the impact they are about to undergo.

CORE STRENGTH

The core is the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything. The primary muscles consist of the rectus

abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, transverse abdominis, iliocostalis,

and multifidus. The core is essential for all human movement and is necessary for daily living. It helps maintain

the body’s position over it’s base of support within stable limits, both statically and dynamically. When working

on your core, challenge your body with crunches, reverse crunches and planks. For variety, try mountain climbers,

hip bridges and alternating arm and leg quadrupeds. With greater flexibility and core strength, your risk of injury

will decrease when starting your new exercise program.

START YOUR EXERCISEPROGRAM HERE

By: Jose Lopez