All about the Standing Quad Stretch
(Pilates)
BENEFITS & MUSCLES WORKED: Quadriceps, knee, and hip support.
START POSITION: Stand with feet hip width apart and lift one foot behind you whilst grabbing the ankle with one hand. Keep looking forward and slightly upwards. Arching your back slightly by moving your hip back will provide a better stretch. Keep your front foot flat on the floor, and ensure your front knee is slightly bent (not locked out).
NOTES: Difficulty Rating: 32%
This exercise is one of the best old-school fundamental mainstays of athletics stretching. It has been used for many decades by runners, football players, and gymnasts as part of their crucial warm-up and preparation routines.
If you arch your back slightly and lift your head upward, you should get a somewhat better stretch on your quads. As you get fitter and more supple, you will need this extra Range of Motion.
It is a relatively quick and easy exercise to perform, targeting mainly the quadriceps, the second-largest muscle in the human body.
The Standing Quad Stretch offers numerous benefits in terms of injury prevention and enhanced flexibility, primarily due to the size and location of the muscle being stretched. Athletic performance, flexibility, and protection against injury (particularly to the knees) will be significantly enhanced by any athlete who incorporates this stretch into their warm-up routines.