Non-Training Day Warmup and Stretch
Phase 1: General Warm-up (5 minutes)
Light aerobic activity. Any thing can be performed here as long as you are gradually increasing your heart rate and body temperature. Jog, jump rope,get on a piece or stationary equipment at the gym, do pushups,sit-ups, or lift light weights. Any or all of these activities may be performed for 5 minutes to increase your body temperature until you break a light sweat.
Remember: Hold stretches for 15 to 20 seconds. Do NOT bounce. Stretch to the point of discomfort, NOT pain.
- To stretch the neck, lower your chin to your chest and gently pull on the back of your head to stretch the back of your neck.
- Lift your chin to the sky to stretch the front of your neck.
- To stretch the sides of your neck, lower your chin to your chest and gently pull your head to each side
2. Upper Back
- Place your hands in front of you, chest height; interlock fingers with palms facing you.
- Lower chin to chest and open shoulder blades.
- Feel this stretch across your entire back.
- Place your right hand on the wall shoulder height.
- Keep your right arm straight.
- Gently twist your body away from the wall stretching the chest muscle.
- Switch and stretch other side.
4. Tricep (Hand behind head )
- Point your right elbow to the sky above your head.
- Place your left hand on your right elbow and gently push.
- Try and reach your right hand down your back.
- With your left hand, gently pull your right arm across your body.
- Keep you right shoulder down.
- Right arm remains straight.
- Place both hands on wall, shoulder height.
- Walk back while lowering head between arms.
- Do not move your hands.
- This stretches your sides (lats.)
- Place your right hand down to your side.
- With your left hand, pull back on your right hand fingers,keeping your right palm pointed towards the ground.
- To stretch the wrist, place your left hand on top of your right hand and gently bend your right hand towards your forearm.
- While standing, bend at the waist and hump your back as far as possible.
- Round your back and shoulders.
- Arched back is the same as above, just opposite.
- Arch your back as far as possible.
- Open chest and squeeze shoulder blades together.
- While standing,place your right foot in your right hand.
- While keeping your legs together and right knee pointed at the ground, gently try and move your right leg forward while resisting with your right hand.
- Use your bike for this one. While standing, place your right foot on the seat of your bike (or a chair or table).
- Rotate your torso forward by pivoting at the hips and reaching for your toes.
- Keep your right knee soft (do NOT lock it out).
- Do not hump your back to try and extend the stretch. Again, pivot at your hips keeping your head up and back straight.
- Imagine trying to lower your chest to your thigh.
11. Calf Stretch
- Place both hands on wall for support.
- Place one or both feet about 5 feet from wall and force your heel to the ground.
- You should be able to draw a straight line from your heel to you head.
- To help increase this stretch, flex your quad and then relax.
12. Inner Thigh (Adductor) and Hip Stretch
- Place feet much wider than shoulders width.
- Place both hands on the right knee and slowly move to the right.
- Keep your left knee straight, and NEVER let your right knee go past 90 degrees.
- This one is hard to explain so look at the picture.
- Keep your back straight and pivot at your hips.
- Imagine moving your chest towards your thigh.
- Place both hands on the leg you are NOT stretching.
- Keep you knee soft (do NOT lock out).
14. Runners Stretch (Right leg forward then Left leg forward)
- While facing to the side, move one leg as far back as possible.
- Lower your hips toward the ground.
- Rear leg remains straight, front leg goes to 90 degrees.
- NEVER go past 90 degrees on front leg.
15. One knee hamstring stretch (Left foot forward)
- From the advanced runner's position, drop your rear knee to the ground.
- Front foot should have heel on ground with toes pointed up (the farther the better).
- Pivot at the hips keeping your back as straight as possible.
- Again try and lower your chest to your thigh.
16. Side Splits
- From the "One Knee Hamstring" stretch position, move the leg that you were sitting on as far back as possible.
- Use your hands for support, and assume the side split position.
- This is an extremely advanced position and should be used with caution.
- Remember, you should only feel slight discomfort, NOT pain!
17. One knee hamstring stretch (Right foot forward)
- See above
18. Side Splits
- See above
19. Ankle to Knee Hip Flexor (Right then Left)
- While lying on your back, place your right ankle on your left knee.
- Place both hands on the back of your left leg and gently pull, rolling your hips off the ground.
- Head can either be lifted or resting on the floor.
20. Leg Overs
- Lay flat on back with arms out to each side.
- Take one leg and cross it over your body stretching the lower and middle back.
- Keep shoulder blades pressed to floor.
- If you feel ANY discomfort in your lower back, STOP.
21. Back Roles
- While lying on your back, tuck your knees to your chest, wrap your arms around your knees and rock yourself back-and-forth messaging your back.
- You can also rock side-to-side.
- When complete, rock yourself to a sitting position.
22. Sitting Legs forward, Hamstring/Hip Flexor Stretch
- Place both legs straight out in front of you.
- With your knees slightly bent and back straight, pivot at your hips and move your chest towards your thighs.
- Do NOT round your back to increase the stretch.
- Look straight ahead and reach for your toes.
Total time to complete; 25 to 30 minutes. Set your timer to help keep a consistent pace and don't cheat.











