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AUGUST 2022
Stay flexible with everyday stretching
Stretching is an important part of good health, no matter what your age or activity level. As you get older, your joints become less flexible. And this can put a crimp in daily activities, making it harder to walk, raise your arms overhead or even turn your head while backing up the car. It can also affect your balance, which can cause life-altering falls.
As with all types of exercise, you need to engage in stretching regularly to reap lasting benefits. If you only stretch occasionally, the effects are short lived. One study found that the greatest increase in hamstring length occurred right after the stretch and began to diminish within 15 seconds, though there was a noticeable effect for up to 24 hours.
A daily regimen will deliver the greatest gains. But typically, you can expect lasting improvement in flexibility if you stretch at least two or three times a week.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Try these simple stretches
Check out these videos of stretches you can add to your exercise or stretching routine. Some options will be easier for you, so you can increase or decrease the challenge. To increase it, try substituting a harder option. To make the stretch easier, add a pillow or rolled towel or use a stretch strap. The stretches include:
- Floor hip flexor
- Floor hamstring with strap
- Full body stretch
- Double knee torso rotation
- Cat, cow
- Child’s pose
- Downward dog
- Standing calf
Source: Harvard Health Publishing. Everyday stretching.
To learn more about how to maintain your physical well-being through daily stretching and exercise, see the resources below.
Resources for you
- Are you interested in preventing painful joint and muscle injuries or just looking for a tune-up before you start a new exercise program? Learn more about how Omada for Joint & Muscle Health can help. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan (age 13 or older), you have access to programs from Omada.
- The Aetna® Fitness Program offers savings on fitness memberships and equipment with GlobalFit. Get preferred rates at thousands of fitness clubs nationwide. Learn more at Costcobenefits.com, or call GlobalFit at 800-294-1500.
- Are you interested in preventing painful joint and muscle injuries or just looking for a tune-up before you start a new exercise program? Learn more about how Omada for Joint & Muscle Health can help. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan (age 13 or older), you have access to programs from Omada.
- Apps* can be an easy way to keep up with your physical well-being on the go!
- MyFitnessPal helps you find and learn exercises that match where you are on your fitness journey — and where you want to go. Get it from the App Store® or Google Play™.
- FitOn can help you lose weight, get strong, reduce stress and reach your goals with short, effective workouts you can do anywhere, anytime. Find it at FitonApp.com.
*Apps listed are not owned or managed by Costco, and Costco is not responsible for their content. Some apps may offer in-app purchases. Costco will not reimburse any in-app purchases you choose to make.
- Are you interested in preventing painful joint and muscle injuries or just looking for a tune-up before you start a new exercise program? Learn more about how Omada for Joint & Muscle Health can help. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan (age 13 or older), you have access to programs from Omada.
- Apps* can be an easy way to keep up with your physical well-being on the go!
- MyFitnessPal helps you find and learn exercises that match where you are on your fitness journey — and where you want to go. Get it from the App Store® or Google Play™.
- FitOn can help you lose weight, get strong, reduce stress and reach your goals with short, effective workouts you can do anywhere, anytime. Find it at FitonApp.com.
*Apps listed are not owned or managed by Costco, and Costco is not responsible for their content. Some apps may offer in-app purchases. Costco will not reimburse any in-app purchases you choose to make.