2 Partner Stretches for Your Quads, Low Back & Upper Body
Did you know…
Our flexibility decreases by 10% every decade!
It does not matter if you are an extreme athlete, a fitness buff, play a sport, walker, runner, biker, swimmer, or if you’re none of these.
Muscle tissue tightens over time just by doing daily life!
One of the most beneficial ways to decrease tight muscle tissue is a form of Stretch Therapy known as Partner Stretching.
Partner Stretching is a technique where someone uses another person to help their body move through ranges of motion by giving them a tug, a pull, a push, a press, etc.
For example, if someone leans over to touch their toes and another person gently presses them forward into a deeper stretch, that tiny press helps increase the range of motion in the muscle without the stretching person straining to go deeper all on their own.
This “help” also increases flexibility and elongates tight muscle tissue at an elevated rate—so this means faster results.
The whole purpose of stretching is to unlock and elongate tight muscle tissue so that we don’t get stuck in our body.
The benefits of stretching are life changing… END OF STORY.
Need an example?
In my stretch classes, I will sometimes randomly go to a student and pull or press them through to a deeper stretch.
Almost every time, I hear them say “ahhh.” They love it! It is a release that they could not get on their own. I also have students tell me that they always hope that I pick them to stretch as I go around the room. I wish I had time to Partner Stretch everyone!
I have one more story to share.
I used to own a personal training business years ago in Atlanta.
I would always “stretch out” my clients at the end of each session. I can honestly say that I had more clients than most trainers I knew, and I am positive that it was because of that fact that I took time to stretch them. I had some clients tell me that they were willing to skip the workout and go straight to the stretching part!
I hope these stories inspire you to grab a partner and give Partner Stretching a try!
Here are a 2 Partner Stretches to get you started:
Pull Away Partner Stretch
This stretch is a spine elongator and upper body opener! It lifts the torso up and relieves the pelvis.
Person 1 holds onto something stable like a kitchen or bathroom sink, a banister, or railing. Separate your feet and lean away. Feet should be in front of hips. Head should be in between the elbows.
Person 2 stands behind & holds onto the hips of Person 1, gently pulling them toward them.
Quad Partner Stretch
This stretch elongates quads, releases hip flexors, and relieves lower back.
Person 1 lays on the floor, face down, with head turned to one side. Bend the knees.
Person 2 kneels down behind the bent knees and places hands on the shin of Person 1, pressing the lower legs toward glutes. Gently rock legs from side to side to release the lower back of Person 1.
