Why You Should Stretch After a Cycling Workout

Imagine: you just spent 30 minutes powering through a cycling workout on Wellbeats. You’re feeling strong, proud, and maybe a little sweaty. It’s easy to want to pat yourself on the back and call it a day. But before you hop off that bike and get going, it’s important to know why you should stretch after a cycling workout.

Benefits of Stretching Post-Workout*:
  • Avoids muscle soreness
  • Increases flexibility
  • Reduces risk of injury
  • Enhances mobility
  • Reduces built-up lactic acid
  • Improves blood flow
  • Need we continue?

Now that you know the many benefits of post-working stretching, let’s try one out! Mark Kingsriter, familiar face in the Wellbeats Rev (Cycling) channel, walks you step-by-step through the best stretches after a cycling workout.

Post-Cycling Stretch #1

Target muscle group: Calves

Move: Step one foot back, heel down. Bend your opposite knee and slowly sink into your leg, applying pressure in the lower part of your leg. Hold for 6-8 seconds. Switch legs.

Post-Cycling Stretch #2

Target muscle group: Hamstrings

Move: Extend one leg out, heel down and toe up. Hinge from your hip, keep your spine as neutral as you can until you feel a stretch on the outside part of your leg. Hold for 6-8 seconds. Switch legs.

Post-Cycling Stretch #3

Target muscle group: Quads

Move: Grab your foot or the top of your ankle, knee pointed to the floor. Chest stays lifted. Extend your arm for balance or keep it at your hip. Add pressure to your glutes so you can feel the tension in the front of your leg. Hold for 6-8 seconds. Switch legs.

Post-Cycling Stretch #4

Target muscle group: Hips

Move: Cross your ankle over the lower part of your thigh, flex your foot to keep your knee safe. Chest up, and sit your butt back. You should feel this on the outside of your hip. Hold for 6-8 seconds. Switch legs.

We hope this post-cycling stretch relives any muscle soreness and leaves you feeling even better after your workout. Let us know what you think of the stretch in the comments!

For more post-cycling stretches, visit Wellbeats here.

*Source: https://www.bidvine.com/blog/stretch-after-workout-pro-post/