Best Online Stretching Program

GOWOD Mobility Program

GOWOD is a mobility program designed with CrossFit in mind that stands for “Workout Of the Day”.

A subscription service that requires the use of a specialised app, it is designed to enhance movement, increase wellness, and improve your overall quality of life.

Users choose routines from a selection that are divided into 8, 12, 15, or 20 minute workouts.

While some will include more traditional exercises, most will revolve mostly around holding specific stretches and positions for between one and three minutes.

The workout categories are then divided even further into four subcategories.

These cover routines designed to be performed before a workout, after a workout, or instead of a workout, as well as options to help deal with specific injuries, joints, or muscles.

The GOWOD app is a great tool for helping you to track your progress, as well as being able to select a suitable workout for you when you input your goals.

It also provides detailed videos and instructions on every position, to ensure you perform each routine exactly as it is intended.

GOWOD Mobility program subscriptions start at $9.99 for a rolling monthly option, while six month and twelve month options are available for $49.99 and $89.99, respectively.

Each option includes a 14-day free trial, so you can try it out for yourself without any risk if you are still unsure.

A small amount of additional fitness equipment will also be required to complete some of the more advanced routines.

This includes items such as a foam roller, lacrosse ball, and resistance band.

Pros

• Includes routines for pre and post workout, rest days, and targeting specific issues
• Customises routines based on the muscles you select in the app
• 14-day trail lets you test out the program without any risk
• Different pricing options are available
• Workouts are divided into a number of easy to navigate categories
• App is great for tracking your progress and helping you to stay on track while you are on the go

Cons

• Some additional equipment is required to perform certain exercises to their full capacity

ROMWOD Mobility Program

The ROMWOD mobility program stands for “Range Of Motion Workout Of the Day” and is a subscription service that provides access to an extensive library of over 1,500 videos, which is constantly being updated.

Each video can be either streamed online or downloaded to watch later.

The routines are all designed specifically to increase your flexibility, mobility, and range of motion, with many of them based around yoga, which can help to encourage relaxation and stress relief as well.

They all have detailed instructions and demonstrations to ensure you’re doing everything right.

The routines in ROWOD Mobility Program are clearly split into different categories, making it easy to decide which to complete, based on your ability level or the goals you are aiming to achieve.

The 15 to 20 minute duration of each routine also means it will fit conveniently into most people’s schedules.

The accompanying ROMWOD app is great for tracking your progress and helping you to pinpoint any weaknesses.

It also has a number of helpful suggestions that will ease beginners into the routines and let them safely progress as quickly as possible.

Access to the ROMWOD Mobility Program costs $13.95 per month and there is also a seven day trail available, which allows you to try it out for yourself without any risk.

Pros

• Great for more experienced users
• Continuous updates ensure there is always new content available
• Huge variety of different stretching routines on offer
• Exercises based on yoga positions allows the program to provide relaxation
• Can help yoga practitioners improve their performance
• Can be trialled without any risk
• Routines are all clearly divided into different categories and abilities
• App tracks your progress and pinpoints weaknesses
• Videos can be downloaded to watch offline
• No additional equipment required

Cons

• Some features can only be used on Apple devices

Is Stretching Just As Good As Exercise?

Many people use stretching either pre-workout or post-workout, to warm up or cool down their muscles.

However, there are some individuals who are starting to look at a vigorous stretching session as an alternative to a full exercise routine. 

Stretching and exercise serve different primary purposes, however the two can benefit one another to differing degrees, as well as replicate some of the benefits.

The level to which stretching provides the benefits to your body that exercise does depends on a number of different factors.

The factors that determine the difference between exercise and stretching include the type and intensity of the stretches a person is doing, the duration of the session and quantity of stretches within it, and the type of exercises that the stretches are being used to replace.

Longer durations of stretching at a high intensity can help to provide similar effects to the body that many other types of low impact exercises do.

That said, the results will usually not be as great or will take longer to occur.

So, while stretching is a great addition to any workout routine and can certainly provide a number of improvements to your level of fitness, it isn’t a like for like replacement for exercise.

As a result, users who do make the switch should not expect to see identical or even comparable results.

Can You Lose Weight By Stretching?

Many modern stretching programs claim that stretching routines can assist with weight loss and there is certainly plenty of evidence to back up these claims. 

However, it is important to note that not all stretching will help you to lose weight, as different types of stretching effect the body in different ways.

With a higher intensity stretching session that gets the user’s heart rate up and allows them to sweat, stretching may be an effective protocol for burning fat and calories.

That makes these types of stretching routines effective for helping you to lose weight.

There are also specific types of stretches that people find useful when it comes to speeding up their metabolism and the rate at which they burn calories.

These may not have the same sort of immediate effect but can make a big difference over an extended period of time.

The amount of weight that can be lost while following a stretching routine also depends on the individual themselves.

Stretching without attending to other shortfalls resulting in weight loss, such as overeating or a sedentary lifestyle, will limit or adversely affect the results the person is able to achieve. 

Conclusion

Stretching is a fabulous way to not only improve your level of mobility and flexibility but to also achieve additional benefits, such as pain and stress relief, weight loss, improved posture, decreased injury frequency, and a generally better quality of life and wellbeing.

Online stretching routines are the perfect option for those who like to have everything laid out plainly in front of them, with clear guidelines and demonstrations to follow.

They will ensure everyone is capable of following the routines exactly as they were intended.

This list covers some of the very best options on the market and will hopefully have given you a good idea of the best option to achieve your goals, based on your own personal needs and circumstances.

So, with that in mind, what are you waiting for?

Go and get your favourite online stretching routine sorted out, so you can start on the road to improved mobility and quality of life as soon as possible.