Getting the Most Exercise Out of Playing Basketball
People that are looking to lose weight are always looking for a good cardiovascular workout. Sports such as basketball combine the joys of competition with the running needed to raise ones heart rate. The best thing about basketball is even if you are just playing a half court pick-up game or full court competitive league games, when you are on the court you are working your body. The problem is for a good cardiovascular workout you need at least twenty minutes, and ideally forty minutes, of continuous action. Anyone who plays a lot of pick-up games know that it is difficult to constantly win and stay on the court playing for that amount of time. To get the most out of your workout while hooping it up, here are some helpful hints.
1 – Stretch before and after you play. Whenever you are doing any type of cardiovascular exercise it is very important to protect your muscles and ligaments by stretching. Just a simple stretching routine before playing will improve your muscles and ligaments performance, and it will also increase your endurance and durability. Stretching after a workout like playing basketball is also important. Long sustained stretches will allow your muscles to build more muscle fibers. A basic post workout stretching routine should include a stretch for both of your side muscle groups, your back, your abs, your groin, and then both legs. (Just remember side-side-front-back-legs-legs-legs.) Those seven stretches should cover the majority of you body’s muscles.