1. Home
  2. Wellness

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

You need these 5 tools for the deepest stretch of your life

By Gabrielle LaFrank

Whether you’re simply ready to work on your flexibility or you’re looking to advance your current yoga routine, a little stretching can go a long way. Not only can it prevent muscle tears and other injuries, note the health experts at Harvard, but it can improve muscle health, joint strength, and range of motion over time.

There are plenty of stretches you can try from just about anywhere, which is great for basic flexibility training, but you can also up your game with a few helpful tools. They aren’t expensive or difficult to use, and you can bring them with you for every workout. Ready for the deepest stretch of your life?

Every flexibility aficionado needs a trusty gym mat for stretching, yoga, and the like. This versatile mat from Maximo Fitness gives you half an inch of cushion to keep you moisture-free and off of any uncomfortable gym floors. At the end of your workout, you can roll up and carry your mat home thanks to its included carrying strap—so convenient!
$30 from Amazon

You never know when a challenging stretch may make you break a sweat, so it’s best to be prepared. Wise Owl Outfitters Yoga Towels are the perfect workout accessory thanks to their moisture-wicking properties and easy-to-spot color. They come in sets of four, too, so you can enjoy a few workouts before laundry day.
$7 from Amazon $14 from Walmart

Besides the basic postures we all know and love, resistance bands are a great way to get a good stretch. By incorporating these lightweight, easy-to-carry bands into your normal routines, you’ll build extra strength and flexibility in any major muscle area. This set of 5 bands includes 5 different resistance levels, so your training will truly make a difference.
$21 from Amazon

Whether you’re doing some simple post-workout stretching or you’re taking on a whole fitness class (think yoga, barre, or pilates), these socks will keep you from slipping on slick gym floors. You can choose from several different styles of socks, from pointe slipper look-alike to a classic crew fit. With a padded heel and cotton blend fabric, you may even want to wear these around the house!
$0 from Amazon

Relax your muscles after a good stretch with URBNFit’s Muscle Roller Massage Stick. This easy-to-hold tool lets you work the tension out of any muscle that needs it using 6 separate rollers along a reinforced steel core. Simply hold it like a rolling pin and run it along any tense or sore area on your body. Reducing tension, stiffness, and pain—what’s not to love?
$26 from Amazon $16 from Walmart

Recommended Videos

Flexibility doesn’t come from tools or equipment—but these assets sure do help! Even basic tools like nonslip mats and grip socks will keep you limber and safe during your workout, so what are you waiting for? Unsafe stretching can become a problem faster than you’d think, so you should learn the proper technique—with the proper equipment—as soon as you can.

Whether you start with one solid investment or are ready to dive into all 5, you’re sure to elevate your stretching routine with any of these helpful items. Combine these tools with some dedicated practice and healthy choices, and you’ll be doing the splits, or at least touching your toes, before you know it.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
5 Great Seats for Your Bike

Whether you ride a beach cruiser, a mountain bike, a ten-speed, or a Peloton, having a comfortable bike seat can make all the difference to your bike-based workout. Many stationary bikes have no suspension, which can make a soft seat feel firmer, and a firm seat feel downright uncomfortable. Even if your bike has superior suspension, it can only absorb so much impact, which means any added comfort depends on the softness of the seat. And the quality of a stock bike seat made to fit an average rider isn’t likely to be a size or softness that suits your comfort level. A custom bike seat is the solution! Depending on your riding style and your physical requirements, it might take a little trial and error to find a bike seat that works for you. Here’s a list of five possibilities that have been custom chosen for their quality, size, and comfort.

>

Read more
5 Exercise Bands That Take Your Workouts to Another Level

If you’re interested in resistance training, but find that traditional weightlifting isn’t your thing, exercise bands are the perfect solution. Their versatility can elevate your workouts in ways you’ve never imagined! Resistance bands come in a wide variety of resistance levels and allow movements that mimic the most intense weight workouts. They’re also excellent for active rest days to keep blood flowing to muscles while they recover from heavy weight work. 

If you’re on a budget, bands are much more affordable than machines or free weights, as well as being thoroughly portable and taking up less space than free weights. And for anyone who does favor weight workouts, BFR, or blood flow restriction bands are another type of exercise band that helps you maximize your workouts by isolating blood flow for ultimate size and tone at lower weight loads. The bands listed below can help your workouts reach new heights!

Read more
5 helpful health and care aids to make life easier
A woman stretches her leg with a resistance band

Life can be a whirlwind of hurry and bustle, between a busy work life, working out or being a weekend warrior, spending time with friends, taking care of your family, and countless other life demands. It’s often easy to forget to take care of some of the basics, those convenient items that can make life easier and more enjoyable at home and on the go.

Depending on your life stage and lifestyle, your needs most likely will change. Perhaps you’ll find you can make your daily living better with these five helpful health and care aids and implement them right away.

Read more