Why stretch before and after a workout?

Firstly, I have to say great job to those of you who are making the extra effort to participate in the weekly challenges.

 Now to the business of stretching, currently I am seeking physical therapy for really tight shoulder and neck muscles. I was notorious for skipping stretching my body before and after I exercise, although I knew it was important to do so I just couldn't be bothered. needless to say I ended up with muscles so tense that I was experiencing daily headaches, elevated shoulders and constant pressure in the mentioned areas. Now i am on the road to recovery, and i am now the biggest advocate for stretching.

 Stretching before a workout warms up our muscles in preparation for the torture that would be inflicted upon them, it also activates the release of a lubricant found in the cartilage between our joints, that lubricant helps our muscles to move smoothly, and protects our bones from scraping against each, for example the joint bones in our knees. The biggest benefit of stretching is the flexibility it enables our body to maintain, being flexible is very important as it reduces our chances of injury juring physical activities. At the end of a workout our muscles are very tight slow cool down stretches releases that tightness helping our muscles to be less sore later on.

To be honest, I now stretch both in the morning after waking up and before I go to bed at night, and of course if I workout i will stretch before and after the session. It's my belief that because we mostly sleep in a few positions at night our bodies can become really tense in the AM, and at night most of us sit and watch tv before bed which can cause some stiffness, stretching out the kinks we may have developed while sitting is beneficial to our flexibility. Being flexible is important to me, I love to workout, therefore I am face with the possibility of getting injured daily.

I am going to post some basic stretches that can be done daily on the exercise page, so make show to click on the link and view it. Have a healthy day, and maintain your flexibility.