How To Stretch And Recover Like The Pros And Why It's Important

Skateboarding, snowboarding, trail running, BMX—the list goes on—are all intense physical activities that demand agility, flexibility, and strength. And we’re just barely scratching the surface there. To excel in any of these lifestyles and prevent injuries, it's crucial to prioritize proper warm-up and stretching routines. Often neglected, or merely overlooked, emulating certain stretching techniques (similar to those of your favorite pro athletes) and utilizing things like advanced insoles (look no further than Remind!) and footwear, you’ll be one step closer to enhancing your overall performance and protecting your body from potential harm. None of us want to be bumming on the sidelines! We want to be out skating, snowboarding, running, or whatever it is you love to do. 

Why Stretching is Important:
Stretching serves several essential purposes for skateboarders, snowboarders, mountain bikers, and athletes of all kinds. It increases flexibility, which ultimately enables you to stack clips and learn tricks with greater ease. It reduces the risk of muscle strains, which is insanely important. At least in terms of longevity. It improves blood circulation, enhances your overall mobility, and simply allows you to maneuver your body more fluidly on (and off) the board, bike, trail—whatever! And it's a classic case of something where a little can go a long way.

Don't forget to stretch!
From Action Sports to Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Again, pick your poison, but whether you’re a pro skater or a pro snowboarder; an ultra-runner or outdoor lover; casual hiker, daily walker or simply deal with underlying foot issues, an upgrade to your insoles can be crucial to your performance, and come in clutch when it’s time to stretch, recover or rehab all the same. Remind insoles focus on foot and joint alignment, injury preventive support, cushioning and self-molding customization, and each funnel into the overall goal of living your best life pain free. Pro athletes from action sports and beyond are known for their impressive displays of athleticism, that's why they are who they are, and their gear always plays a crucial role in their success. Throw in a proper stretching routine on top of it all, and you’ll be borderline unstoppable!

This list could be a million times longer, but for the sake of keeping it short and to the point, here are a few common stretches for athletes of all disciplines and avenues that are simple and beneficial:

1. Leg Swings: Stand next to a support and swing one leg back and forth, targeting the hamstrings and hip flexors.

2. Hip Opener: Sit on the ground, cross one ankle over the opposite knee, and gently push down on the elevated knee to stretch the hip muscles.

3. Shoulder Stretch: Extend one arm across your chest, gently pulling it towards your body with the other arm, stretching the shoulder and upper back.

4. Calf Stretch: Place your hands on a wall, step one foot back, and press the heel into the ground to stretch the calf muscle.

How Do Proper Insoles Really Play A Role In This?
In addition to proper stretching, utilizing Remind Insoles can significantly assist skateboarders, snowboarders, runners and athletes of all kinds. As we touched on lightly above, Remind Insoles provide enhanced support, impact absorption, and stability, reducing the risk of common injuries such as heel bruising (if you skate, you know!) and plantar fasciitis. Our insoles are designed with these lifestyle's specific needs in mind—from concept to completion—and incorporate features like arch support, shock absorption, and moisture-wicking materials, just to name a few. Snag a pair and try them during your next session, workout, run or long day of work—really anything—and you’ll be sure to notice the difference. At the very least, your feet will thank you.
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No strangers to stretching, rehabbing and all-around wellness on and off the board, Dr. Kyle Brown and Remind ambassador Walker Ryan have a great discussion about the simple question “Should skateboarders stretch?” in the video below. And while most of us would agree that yes, of course we should, they really dive into the question and dissect all angles. It’s extremely interesting, informative and we bet you’ll finish it learning something new!

Getting better at skating, snowboarding, or really any physical activity is one thing, but maintaining your body in the meantime is another altogether. They’re both crucial in the progress of your endeavors, but for whatever reason stretching and upgrading the smaller details of your gear (like your insoles) are often overlooked. Adopting a stretching routine (especially one inspired by your favorite pros) is crucial either way. What goes around comes around! Treat your body right and reap the benefits. 
Investing in things like insoles that are literally designed for the harshest of physical activities will provide extra support and protection every step, trick or flick of the way. It's that simple. And when you combine proper stretching techniques with Remind’s innovative insole technology, you can unleash your full potential while safeguarding your body for the long term. Progress is never easy—it’s not supposed to be—but why not take the extra support if it’s there?

We’re all about the idea of doing what you love, for as long as you can, pain free. And sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. So what are you waiting for? We’ll see you out there. 

Treat your feet and browse our insoles here!

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