How to gain flexibility

If you want to know how to gain flexibility, you've come to the right place. This is an often underrated part of overall fitness, but it is one worth investing time in.

There are several different views on how to gain flexibility, each of which has its merits. Looking at the different options on how to gain flexibility will help you to choose the one that's right for you:

• Yoga : This 6000 year-old exercise program originated in India, and combines Asanas (movements and postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. It is a balanced approach to physical and mental health, happiness and tranquillity, and regular practice results in longer, more toned muscles.
  
  
• Pilates : A rather more recent development, Pilates has been around since the 1920s. It combines extensive stretching with core and postural work to produce improved postural and alignment habits, while both lengthening and stretching out the muscles.
  
  
• Regular stretching : This can be included as part of a workout (for example, between exercises), at the end of a workout as part of a cool down, or as a separate session.

Whichever option you choose, the key is regular practice - research has shown that while stretching regularly (5 or 6 days per week) yields benefits in terms of both sports performance and injury prevention, stretching only once a week can actually lead to more injuries.