Stretching is an important part of maintaining good health and an active lifestyle. According to "Stretching and Flexibility" by Brad Appleton at Enteract, "Strength training and flexibility training should go hand in hand. It is a common misconception that there must always be a trade-off between flexibility and strength." A loss of flexibility can be attributed to the repeated use of muscles, the effects of aging, a sedentary lifestyle or muscle injuries. Stretching on a regular basis only helps prevent muscle injury and soreness, but it can also increase mental and physical relaxation. Athletes can use stretching to gain a competitive advantage and reduce downtime due to muscle injuries.

According to Global Fitness, "Recent studies show . . . Stretching also improves muscular balance and posture. Many people's soft-tissue structures have adapted poorly to either the effects of gravity or poor postural habits. Stretching can help realign soft tissue structures, thus reducing the effort it takes to achieve and maintain good posture in the activities of daily living." (Global-Fitness, 1999)

Stretching with the Exercise Ball offers many unique advantages such as:

• Providing a full range of motion
• Enabling easy position transitions
• Ball supports body weight through the stretch
• Ball helps stabilize the core while isolating a particular body part for the stretch