What Are the Best Stretches For Runners?

stretches for runners exercises will seriously improve your performance and, done religiously will ensure you never suffer running injuries ever again.

The importance of stretching and flexibility is underestimated by many runners who just want to get the feet pounding but good stretches for runners willl make a huge difference for you so be sure to read this and apply it! You'd be - or rather you WILL be amazed how adding a few simple specific stretches for runners to your fitness program will help you run further, faster and longer.

And it's not only runners and joggers who should do stretches for runners. Running ability is also a key ingredient in many other sports including football, rugby, basketball, baseball, combat gaming and military activity. Any activity where speed, endurance, and agility are important need running power which is why running is usually part of the training in so many sports.

The main problem though is that too much running causes injury to humans due to body stress. Running is high impact and as such "too much" causes problems with muscles ligaments and tendons that can result in spains, tears and even fractures.

In spite of this, most running injuries can be avoided through proper conditioning and attending to correct running method. Runners should warm up and cool down properly which is where stretches for runners come into play.

So stretches for runners is one of the most under used ways of improving running performance, preventing running pain and injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injuries. Don't make the error of thinking that simple stretches for runners is not useful.

Below are my six of the best stretches for runners. Obviously there are a lot more, however these are a great place to start.

1) Kneeling Quad Stretch: Kneel on one foot and the other knee. If needed, hold on to something to keep your balance and push your hips forward.

2) Standing High-leg Bent Knee Hamstring Stretch: Stand with one foot raised onto a table. Keep the leg bent and lean your chest into your bent knee.

3) Standing Toe-up Achilles Stretch: Stand upright and place the ball of the foot onto a step or raised item. Bend your knee and lean forward.

4) Among the very best stretches for runners is the simple toe touch. Slightly bend your knees and with a straight back; bend over, touch your toes and hold for 15 seconds or more. Release and do it again five times. Great for entire upper torso, hamstrings, calves and hips.

5) Find a wall, or stable object that can support your weight; with your right hand on the wall, reach your left hand down behind your same side leg and grab your left ankle and pull your foot up to your right buttock.. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds or a lot more, then do the same for your right leg.

6) Place one hand on the opposite shoulder (I.e., right hand on left shoulder) from behind your head; next take the left hand and lightly pull back elbow from the arm which is behind your head. This exercise stretches the arms and upper body and including the back, a very useful general stretch.

Nick is a committed stretching and running fanatic. For FREE free stretches for runners videos, pictures and more stretches for all ages and a totally FREE 29 page stretching guide and 1 hour MP3 audio stretching guide see his free stretches for runners stretches for runners resources page at http://www.squidoo.com/stretches-for-runners.