If there's anything I've tried to stress over the years, it's to never stretch! Wait, no...
it's to always stretch before beginning any workout in any realm of exercise.
Think about it: what happens to your car in a cold climate when it's ten degrees below zero if you just start it and go?? All kinds of nonsense; many things can easily break and snap.
It's the same with your body: your body is "cold" until you stretch it out.
It takes only ten to twenty minutes, so come on, why not do it? The stretch I'd like to talk about today is an important one, and a question I've heard a couple times: stretching out your quadriceps.
Unfortunately, this one does hurt a little at first, but that means that they're too tight to be doing any heavy exercise anyway.
It's totally worth it.
You'll need a partner to help, preferably someone you trust, because their hands will be all over you.
To start, lie down on your stomach.
Bend your elbows and rest your head on your forearms.
Start with your left leg, by bending it up so you can (eventually) feel your heels touch your glutes (your butt!).
Your partner will be pressing down on your left ankle while pulling your leg upward, most likely with his (or her) right hand.
Hold this position for at least ten seconds.
You'll feel some crazy, intense stretch in your quad, especially if you're not used to this.
Do the same with your other leg, if you can handle it! Again, I know this isn't fun, but is it MORE fun to be limping around with a strained or pulled quadriceps muscle? I think not.
Go for the gold and stretch them out!