All about the Toe Touch Stretch
(Pilates)
BENEFITS & MUSCLES WORKED: Hamstrings and Calves
Watch: my Toe Touch video
START POSITION: Stand up straight, knees locked, with the palms of your hands placed in front of you and resting flat against the upper part of your thighs (hip area). Tilt your head forward to look down at the floor in front of your toes.
NOTES: Difficulty Rating: 57%
This is another ancient, old-school stretch exercise, a fundamental requirement for any serious athlete or anyone who wishes to improve their flexibility and posture.
The Toe Touch complements the Standing Quad Stretch described in the previous section nicely. Both stretches target essential muscle groups on opposite sides of the legs (front and back), improving athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury.
Both of these exercises are fundamental for runners and footballers (and many other sports).
They are both part of the Mojoh100 Pilates Group (Group 1). If short on warm-up time before training or competition, athletes should ensure they make time to squeeze in as many of these exercises as possible (in the order listed in the Pilates1 group). However, remember never to overstretch cold muscles, as this can lead to muscle pulls and tears, rather than helping to prevent injuries.