Stretches To Do Before Bowling

Bowling uses a lot of muscle groups, including the arms, shoulders, back and legs. However, the wrists and fingers are the most important area for this sport, so it’s important to stretch them before you bowl!

Shoulder Stretches

Before you hit the lanes, stretch your shoulders and arms – they are used a lot during bowling. Doing a few simple stretches can help to prevent injuries and keep you in tip-top shape for the game. One of the simplest stretches for shoulder stretch before bowling involves holding your arm in front of your body and grabbing your elbow with another hand. Then pull your arm to your body, stretching it as much as possible without straining the shoulder.

Arm Stretches

While all muscles in the body are involved in bowling, two areas of particular importance to this sport are your wrist and fingers. Choosing a ball and accessories that are the right size for your grip (holes too small, too big or the wrong distance apart increase your risk of arm strain) and employing proper technique can help you stay pain-free. A wrist flexion exercise is also a good option for this warm-up. To do this, hold your hand in front of you and gently bend your fingers, allowing the wrist to flex. This is a great way to get a quick stretch for your neck and scapula muscles, the muscles that run from your neck all the way down to your shoulder. It is best to do this exercise first thing in the morning, while still in bed. Wrist extensions and flexions are great for warming up the wrist before bowling, but be careful to do them gently. A little force can put too much pressure on your wrist and injure it.

Leg Stretches

Bowling is not as intense as other sports but it still requires a good warm-up and stretching exercises to prevent injury. It also helps you feel more prepared to start a game and improve your overall performance. The hamstrings are one of the key muscles that help bowlers move fast. These stretches are important to keep the hamstrings flexible and healthy. This stretch should be done before any game of bowling. You can do it standing up with a table or some kind of fixed material about as high as your hips (to be sure you are not twisting your knees). You can also do this exercise while lying down on the ground, with both legs straight out in front. Touch the toes of your outstretched leg with both hands and hold for about 15-20 seconds. Repeat the same process with the other leg.

Categorised in: Bowling Tips