If I were to ask you to define what it means to be physically fit, you probably would say something about having strong muscles, a healthy heart, and little body fat. But would you know that flexibility is also a key component of physical fitness?

Being flexible means that you can move your body through its entire range of motion comfortably. You can reach high over your head, lift your knees high, lift your leg out to the side, and bend down to pick something up from the floor. 

Our level of flexibility can start to decline as early as in our 20s. It’s important to maintain our range of motion because it allows us to do everyday activities like bending, lifting, reaching and walking without pain. Muscles and joints that are stiff, tense and immobile can create changes in our posture that make us more prone to falling down. Being more flexible can also help us to perform better in sports and in our daily workout by allowing us to reach farther, lift more, and go longer distances.