Skip to Main Content

30 Day Challenge Week 2: Check in With Your Coaches

Fitness Blender's Free 3-Day Flexibility Challenge: Day 1 (Fluid Full Body Stretches for Flexibility & Stress Relief)

31 Min • Total Body
  • View on YouTube
    • Training Type Low Impact, Warm Up/Cool Down, Stretching/Flexibility
    • Equipment No Equipment
    • Membership Free

    Overview

    Kelli profile picture
    Kelli

    This 3 Day stretching plan can be beneficial when added onto literally any other kind of training program. Whatever your regular, everyday workouts might be - from HIIT, strength, or cardio, this stretching challenge is something that you can add onto any other plan and see gains in flexibility and range of motion. It's also fantastic for lowering stress levels and relieving tight, sore muscles.



    At the end of each of these workouts - and especially by that third day, I felt amazing. It's like an instant weight off the shoulders and I found each of the routines very calming in their own unique way. You can easily start or finish your days with these workouts; they can be a good way to start your morning and an even better way to wind down before bed. If you're feeling especially tight, you can even use these workouts multiple times in a day.

    The structure of this 3 Day Stretching Challenge very closely mimics our 4 Week FBReach: Pilates, Yoga & Stretching Program for Flexibility, Range of Motion & Toning. Be sure to check out this program if you want 4 weeks of workouts that use this training style! And if you like the shorter, 2-week challenge style, we now have a growing list of FB Plus Challenges. Come check them out!

    How to use the Fitness Blender Stretching Challenge
    You can add these stretching workouts (in any order) to literally any other kind of training plan; because they are so gentle on the body, there is no risk of overtraining and in fact these kinds of workouts may improve other aspects of fitness vicariously by allowing you to train more intensely, safely. These workouts can be done in any order.

    There are three different strategies at work in this 3 day challenge - each day has a different theme.

    • Day 1: Feel Good Fluid Stretches - These stretches follow no rules and have no real structure. Instead, you'll be doing an active stretch or dynamic range of motion that will feel great on your muscles (especially sore ones!).
    • Day 2: Yoga Pilates Blend - A combination of yoga and Pilates exercises, this workout lightly tones while improving range of motion.
    • Day 3: Static Stretches - Research has shown that holding stretches for around 30 seconds each is the most ideal and effective way to increase flexibility, and that’s exactly what Day 3 tackles.

    All of these stretching workouts should leave you feeling relaxed and they can go a long ways in reducing muscle tightness and discomfort. 

    Tips & Tricks for getting the most out of this flexibility challenge

    • Aim to make this entire experience a calming one. Clear your head before you start each routine, focus on deep breathing the entire time, and try to shut out your stress, if not just for the length of each video.
    • If you like, you can seek out silence or turn on some music that relaxes you. Light a candle or find somewhere scenic to do your stretches. 
    • On the flipside, if you find that stretching bores you to death, you can always try my trick of doing these videos in front of the television; turn on your favorite tv show & tune out while you improve your flexibility.
    • Never push a stretch to the point of pain. Lean into each stretch slowly and tentatively, and then press/lean into the tension a bit further - again, slowly and gently. If you feel pain at any point, you should stop immediately and talk to your doctor or physical therapist. 
    • Know that everyone starts somewhere; don’t get discouraged if you feel tightness and try not to judge yourself for how flexible you are or aren’t.
    • If we start doing a stretch that makes you uncomfortable or you’re unsure of your form, just pick a stretch that you like to do, until we’re back around to an exercise you feel more comfortable with.
    • Make sure to drink lots of water & feed yourself a healthy, whole foods meal when you’re finished. Take care of yourself!

    Help us create more free workout video challenges!
    If you want to see more workout video challenges, we ask that you share Fitness Blender & this challenge with everyone you know - via word of mouth, maybe a Facebook page, website or blog - whatever it takes. You can also support us in creating more free content by purchasing one of our incredibly effective & affordable workout programs.

    I hope that you’re feeling all loose & relaxed once you reach the Workout Complete screen. Let me know what you think of today's workout. See you tomorrow for Day 2!