Fitness Friday: The World's Greatest Stretch

*Editor's note: Every week my colleague Ron Kaspriske, Golf Digest Fitness Editor, presents Fitness Friday on the Instruction Blog. He gives you a great health and fitness tip or an exercise or stretch to get your body warmed up for the weekend. This week he offers the World's Greatest Stretch, and tells you when to do it. Remember to follow me on Twitter @RogerSchiffman.

Roger Schiffman**

Managing Editor

Golf Digest*

I'm paraphrasing here, but the late Jack LaLanne once said he never saw a lion stretch before it attacks. Makes you think, doesn't it? Too often, I see golfers or even people in the gym performing long-hold, static stretches as a prelude to whatever athletic activity they are about to do.

But there are a growing number of athletic trainers and physical therapists who think this is a mistake because it stretches the muscles past the point where they are able to fire correctly ** when called upon to move the body. Elasticity is key to muscle function so most trainers will tell you it's better to warm-up the body with dynamic movements. Even a brisk walk can help.

So instead of doing long-hold stretches before you work out or play, save them for after the round or before you leave the gym. If you're short on time, try the World's Greatest Stretch, which hits several muscles in one shot. Click on the video below to see me demonstrate it.

*Ron Kaspriske

Fitness Editor

Golf Digest

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