An overuse injury can take you out of the gym for months and in extreme cases, for up to a year. And a lot of overuse injuries are the result of tight muscles pulling joints out of alignment.

Unfortunately, many fitness aficionados do not know how to get the most out of their flexibility training.

So, here is how to get more out of your flexibility training for the best results:

1. Increase core temperature: The higher your body temperature the better of you’ll be when you start stretching. You see, not only will your muscles, tendons and ligaments become more pliable, but you will also be more alert.

2. Foam roll before you start stretching: This is an effective strategy for releasing knots and spasms that would otherwise limit range of motion. Now the key here is to identify the tender spots and then to hold the foam roll on said spots for about thirty seconds.

3. Have some loose leaf green tea beforehand: Not only will this wake you up, but it will also increase blood flow. And more blood flow will translate into greater muscle pliability. You see, blood carries all the nutrients required for your muscles to perform at their best.

4. Hydrate right before stretching: Stretching with dehydrated muscles is not only tiring, but can be very painful if you start cramping. Now the best solution here is to drink small amounts of water consistently during the day.

5. Have a cardio session beforehand if you feel the need: Now some people are dealing with more inflexibility than others. If this is the case with you, you may want to do some cardio before you start stretching for the best results.

6. Have more frequent flexibility training sessions: This can be done with flexibility training, but not with strength training or cardiovascular exercise. You see, your body can handle lots of stretching, unlike other exercise modalities.

Flexibility training should be a part of every person’s fitness routine, especially if muscle imbalances are present. So don’t sit on this information and take action as soon as possible!

Author Katherine Crawford, a fitness physiologist and recent arm fat sufferer, teaches how to get thin arms. Figure out how to get sexy and toned arms by visiting her blog with shake weight reviews right now!