How to Improve Flexibility In Bodybuilding

Step 1

We've all heard the joke that some bodybuilders are so big they can't wipe their own ass. And if you haven't heard it yet, you just did. Truth is, flexibility in bodybuilding tends to be a bit of an issue. When you grow all of the muscles in your body to epic proportions, being flexible can start to become a problem. Your muscles simple don't have the wiggle room that they once had, and I can imagine that there have been one or two massive bodybuilders that actually had trouble cleaning up after a good dump. Below I'll go over a few basic ways that you can improve your flexibility as a bodybuilder. Grab the toilet paper and read on

Step 2

Stretching I'm sure you didn't see this coming, but stretching is the number one way to improve flexibility. It's all too common for weightlifters to forego stretching after a workout. I get it, workouts are tough, and when you're done you probably want nothing more than to get back home and rest on the couch. But stretching for even 10 minutes after every workout is a great way to make sure that your muscles don't become overly tight and restrict your ability to move.

Step 3

More Stretching That's right, tip number one has become tip number two. Not only should you stretch after a workout, but you should try and stretch before your workout as well. Spend 15 minutes doing stretches for your shoulders, hamstrings, lower back, and wrists. These kinds of stretches will help you become more flexible, reduce risk of injury, and warm your body up before the workout to come. Once you get in the habit of stretching before a workout, spending the extra 15 minutes will feel well worth it. I promise

Step 4

Even More Stretching Stretching before and after your workouts is great, but there are ways to stretch at home as well. Try and stretch your shoulders a couple of times during the day. This will prevent your chest from tightening down on your deltoids too much, which is something that drastically decreases the visible size of your chest. Also, stretching your hamstrings constantly is a great way to make sure that you don't run into any back problems down the road. Finally, get yourself a foam roller. Foam rollers provide myofascial release, which not only increases flexibility, but reduces tightness and stress in the bellies of your muscles.

Step 5

Yoga Yoga is also a great way to improve flexibility. Yoga works wonders on the body, as it warms the muscles and goes through prolonged periods of stretching all at the same time. Think of the body like a big piece of plastic. Yoga raises the temperature of your body, warming the plastic up and making it malleable. After raising the temperature, yoga allows you to stretch and hold stretches in a way that cements the stretchiness into your body. It makes stretching fun, and even bodybuilders will find that yoga packs a serious punch in the form of muscle-exhaustion.