Are you looking for an easy and effective stretch that will truly help you get in shape while you’re losing weight? It turns out there is such a stretch, and it even has an awesome name: “The World’s Greatest Stretch,” or WGS. It’s an ideal stretch to use for warming up and preparing for your regular workout, or at the end of a workout as part of your cool down. It works because it targets every major muscle in your body. Top trainers swear by this stretch, and you may discover it’s your new favorite stretch, too. Even better? It only takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Get ready to tone up and enhance your exercise routine – and your weight loss results - with the World’s Greatest Stretch!
The entire stretch routine involves 7 positions. Hold each of these positions for 3-5 seconds, then move through the entire series at least 3 times per side. The total time is only 3-5 minutes.
Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers:
- To reach our AZ Clinics, call 602-374-7226 (2 Clinics in Mesa and Phoenix)
- To reach our NM Clinics, call 505-888-9575 (3 Clinics in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe) or 575-222-4994 (Las Cruces)
- To reach our TX Clinic, call 214-296-0269 (Dallas)
- Or visit us online to schedule an appointment: http://fitmedicalweightloss.com/
1) Elbow-to-Instep A
- Start out in a lunge position with your right leg forward.
- Bend your knee at a 90 degree angle with your foot flat on the floor.
- Extend your left leg behind you with the left ball of your foot on the floor.
- Plant your hands on floor inside right leg, in line with your shoulders.
- Keep your back flat.
Targets:
Hip flexors, butt, hamstrings, quadriceps, and lateral calf
2) Elbow-to-Instep B
- Next, lift your right hand off floor.
- Bend your right elbow 90 degrees, then reach with your elbow toward the instep of your right foot.
- Reach as far as you can without your rounding back.
Targets:
Deeper into hip flexors, butt, hamstrings, quadriceps, and lateral calf
3) External Torso Rotation with Reach
- Return your right hand to the floor, and rotate your torso to the left.
- Extend your left arm to ceiling with your palm facing outwards.
- Make sure you keep your spine long, and continue stretching through your back leg.
Targets:
Deepens hamstring and gluteus stretch; adds shoulders, pecs, upper and lower back, internal and external rotators of hips and obliques. Enhances spinal mobility.
4) Internal Torso Rotation with Reach
- Return your left palm to the floor, then rotate your torso to the right.
- Press through your left palm.
- Lift your right hand towards the ceiling, with your palm facing out; let your eyes follow up towards your lifted hand.
Targets:
Deepens hamstring and gluteus stretch; shoulders, pecs, upper and lower back, internal and external rotators of hips and obliques. Synchronizes thoracic spine mobility with lumbar spine stability.
5) Hip Flexor/Quadriceps Stretch A
- Next, drop your left knee and toe to the floor.
- Place both hands on top of your right thigh.
- Squeeze your butt muscles and slightly tuck your pelvis forward.
- Press hands into your thigh and push your torso away; straighten and lengthen your spine, pulling up as tall as you can.
Targets:
Hip flexors, quadriceps, abdominals
6) Hip Flexor/Quadriceps Stretch B
- Add to the previous stretch by extending both arms over your head.
- Reach out with your fingers towards the ceiling.
Targets:
Deeper into abdominals, lats; adds biceps
7) Hamstring/Calf Stretch
- For the final part of the World's Greatest Stretch, place both hands on the floor, on either side of your right leg.
- Shift your hips back and straighten out your right leg with your foot flexed.
- Keep your back as flat as possible.
Targets:
Hamstring and calf
Related Resources:
YAHOO! Health The World’s Greatest Stretch (Includes a slideshow featuring a trainer demonstrating each stretch.)
Please contact us if you have questions or want to learn more about our weight loss programs or Botox and Fillers: