Stretching has a way of improving our posture and keeping our muscles strong and healthy. There’s a lot we can benefit from doing simple stretches with our partners.
Spice up your fitness routine with a little bit of partner stretching. Stretching is great pre and post-workout as it helps increase your flexibility and range of motion while also decreasing the chances of sports-related injuries.
Partner stretching, on the other hand, is a great way to become more in tune with your partner’s body during workouts and outside of workouts and can help increase communication and intimacy between you both.
Since you have the extra assistance, partner stretching can help loosen tight muscles and joints that would be harder to stretch out doing a single-person stretch.
Here are a few exercises you and your partner can implement into your fitness routine:
Partner Backbend
For this movement, start by facing one another, holding each other’s forearms. When you’re both ready, slowly bend backward until you feel a good stretch in your core.
Hold the stretch for about 15 to 20 seconds. Then, stand up and repeat as many times as you feel is necessary.
If you feel comfortable doing so, lean your head back in the backbend to really feel a deep stretch. This stretch is great for building trust with your partner, as you’re responsible for holding each other up during this movement.
Butterfly Pulls
Butterfly pulls are a stretch that is easier with the help of a partner. Start seated facing one another and bring your feet together so you’re sitting in a butterfly position.Â
Reach for each other’s hands and have your partner slowly pull you forward. Push your knees toward the ground as you bring your chest toward the ground.
Hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds, slowly release, then switch.
This stretch shouldn’t hurt, especially with the help of your partner, so don’t force your knees to touch the ground if you can’t do so comfortably.
To be comfortable in the butterfly position and get a proper stretch in your legs, make sure you’re wearing a stretchy and comfortable pair of workout leggings.Â
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Hamstring Stretch
Begin this position by lying on your back with your legs straight out in front of you. Lift one leg up and slowly have your partner push your leg forward until you feel a good stretch.
Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch legs. Once you’ve done both legs, switch with your partner and have them perform the stretch. This movement is great for increasing your flexibility and range of motion on your hips.
To increase the intimacy between you and your partner, try leaning in for a kiss as you push your partner’s leg forward or gently massage both legs after the stretch.
Next time you work out with your partner, try coming home and fitting some of the stretches mentioned into your exercise routine.
For more stretch ideas, check out the infographic below.
