Stretching Critical Part Of Exercise Routine

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Exercise is one of the keys to staying healthy, but remember, preparing for workouts is crucial.

Most of us don't take enough time...for instance, few of us take a lot of time stretching.

Stretching can be very important and is best done after you have loosened up a bit and stretching can be done independent of exercise.

If you are combinining stretching with exercise it is important to stretch early on in the exercise process. I recommend about five minutes into it.

It also can be helpful to do it at the end of the exercising.

In many ways regular stretching can help you avoid all sorts of sprains and strains.

If you are beginning a stretching program, you need to build slowly and it's important you gradually build up to a relaxed stretch. You don't want to do it all at once.