{"id":2786,"date":"2016-06-14T20:39:41","date_gmt":"2016-06-15T01:39:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/?p=2786"},"modified":"2016-06-14T20:39:41","modified_gmt":"2016-06-15T01:39:41","slug":"simple-stretches-improve-firefighter-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/2016\/06\/simple-stretches-improve-firefighter-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple Stretches to Improve Firefighter Performance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Stretching and flexibility are often taken for granted. \u00a0The older I get (over 40) the more I realize how valuable the flexibility and mobility components of a workout are. \u00a0Often skipped, I believe that a solid flexibility program (active warm-up, stretching and foam rolling) can greatly improve your performance on and off the fire ground.<\/p>\n<p>Today I wanted to give you a 5 Simple Exercises that can improve your performance. \u00a0These exercises can be performed at the completion of a workout or a shift or even during your shift. \u00a0 You want to hold each stretch for at least 15 seconds if not 30 seconds. \u00a0Repeat the circuit as many times as possible. \u00a0Remember to breathe and maintain good posture throughout each stretch and don&#8217;t force the stretch. \u00a0Ease into each position and if it hurts&#8230;stop.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a video overview of the stretches.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Pd4hEzD46yw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Here are the individual Stretches.<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/downward-dog-stretch.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2792 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/downward-dog-stretch-300x169.jpg?resize=300%2C169\" alt=\"downward dog stretch\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" \/><\/a>Downward Dog- push your heels down, stretch the upper back and hamstrings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/kickstand-stretch.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2789 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/kickstand-stretch-300x219.jpg?resize=300%2C219\" alt=\"kickstand stretch\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" \/><\/a>Kickstand stretch- Move forward and back slowly, extend your leg to a comfortable position. \u00a0Make sure to stretch both legs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/spider-man-stretch.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2788 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/spider-man-stretch-300x233.jpg?resize=300%2C233\" alt=\"spider man stretch\" width=\"300\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a>Spiderman- Step to the outside of your hand. \u00a0Keep you back leg straight for more hip stretch. \u00a0Watch your upper-body posture, stay relaxed through the shoulders and traps. \u00a0You may need to keep your back leg on the ground when you first try this stretch.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/straight-leg-raise-stretch.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2790 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/straight-leg-raise-stretch-295x300.jpg?resize=295%2C300\" alt=\"straight leg raise stretch\" width=\"295\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>\u00a0Straight leg raises (toes to nose)- Ease into this stretch, do not over do it. \u00a0Hold the leg in a stretched position then slowly flex your toes to your nose to get more stretch through your calf.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/cross-over-stretch.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2791 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/cross-over-stretch-300x198.jpg?resize=300%2C198\" alt=\"cross over stretch\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" \/><\/a>Cross-over stretch- \u00a0Keep your palms up and arms straight and slowly move into the stretched position. \u00a0Start with your knee bent then gradually try the stretch with the leg straight.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Remember to see improvements you have to make a consistent effort. \u00a0Try to do these stretches at least 3 times per week. \u00a0Let me know your thoughts and progress.<\/p>\n<p>Stay safe and Get FRF!<\/p>\n<p>Aaron Zamzow<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stretching and flexibility are often taken for granted. \u00a0The older I get (over 40) the more I realize how valuable the flexibility and mobility components of a workout are. \u00a0Often skipped, I believe that a solid flexibility program (active warm-up, stretching and foam rolling) can greatly improve your performance on and off the fire ground.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[190,46,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-best-exercise-for-firefighters","category-firefighter-fitness-exercise","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paAEPz-IW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/downward-dog-stretch.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firerescuefitness.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}