Image: 

Stretching can take as little as 10 minutes, but provides multiple benefits to the body. Stretching decreases pain and soreness after exercise and improves circulation, range of motion, posture and decreases muscle tension. When an athlete takes time to stretch they reduce muscle soreness, improve their ability to relax and it gives them time for mental training, such as visualization.  Stretching comes in the form of a “warm up” and a “cool down.” The "warm up" helps to raise your body temperature, increases blood flow, promotes oxygen supply to the muscles and helps prepare the mind, muscles and joints for the physical exercise to come. The "cool down" prevents blood from pooling in your limbs, prevents waste products, such as lactic acid, from building up in your muscles and helps your muscles and tendons relax and loosen, stopping them from becoming stiff and tight. The Katapult shoe training program is the perfect example of pre and post stretching. Using the stretch strap that is included with the Katapult shoes and performing the warm ups in the Katapult shoes prior to beginning the workout is crucial for establishing safe range of motion and muscle growth.