
What Is Flexibility?
You probably know what it means when someone says they are flexible. It usually means that they can reach down and touch their toes or bend deeply into a squat. But the definition of flexibility is more complicated than simply being able to do a single stretch.
According to the an Indian Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health, flexibility is defined as " a health-related component of physical fitness that relates to the range of motion available at a joint
Range of Motion
That means that each joint and each group of muscles in your body might have a different range of motion (ROM) or a different level of flexibility. Some areas of your body may be very tight, meaning that the muscles feel short and restricted.
Tips for Adding Flexibility
You don't have to take a dedicated class to do flexibility training. Many exercisers simply add a few minutes of stretching to the end of their daily workout to relax muscles and improve range of motion. Or you can take five to 10 minutes to stretch in the morning after you get out of bed. Just a few minutes of flexibility training each day can provide benefits.
For example, a lunge exercise strengthens the quadriceps on one leg but lengthens (stretches) the hip joint on the other. Different swimming strokes increase flexibility in the upper back and torso. And walking strengthens the lower body but also increases flexibility in the hip joint.