Essential running cool-down stretches
Fitness expert Jon Stratford's cool-down moves will help prevent injury, aches and pains after your run
Posted: 13 September 2011
Stretch: your hamstrings
- From standing, take a very short stride forwards with your left leg.
- Keeping your left leg straight and staying as upright as possible, bend your rear right leg until you can feel a stretch through the back of your front leg.
- Rest your hands on your bent leg and hold the stretch for 20 seconds before swapping.
Stretch: your quads
- From standing, bring your left knee up in front of you, take hold of your shoelaces and pull your foot back until your heel is touching your bottom.
- Make sure that your standing leg is slightly bent, bring your knees together and ease your hips forwards.
- Hold for 20 seconds and then swap legs.
Stretch: your hip flexors
- Stand upright, feet hip-width apart, hands on your hips.
- Take a long stride forwards with your right leg and place your rear left knee on the floor.
- Keeping your body upright, ease your hips forward to increase the stretch in your hip flexors.
- Hold for 20 seconds and then swap legs.
Stretch: your calves
- From the press-up position, keep your legs straight and walk your hands back until you can feel the stretch in your calves.
- Now rest one foot on the heel of the other while easing the bottom heel into the floor.
- Hold for 20 seconds then swap legs and repeat.
Discuss this story
|
