Working out with her trainer, Tiffany Davidson, has made a big difference because the workouts are more structured and include stretches that complement whatever activity they're about to do, or have done during the session. Tiffany reminds Girlawhirl that proper stretching improves muscle flexibility and joint range of motion, which results in improved posture, circulation and hopefully fewer injuries as she gets older.

But when Girlawhirl's on her own and has plans for tennis, biking or other activities with her friends, she still wants to stretch a bit. So she turns to the authoritative book on the subject: Stretching by Bob Anderson, which lays out stretching routines for all kinds of sports. Updated in 2000, Stretching also includes stretches for travelers to do while waiting to board an airplane and during the flight, a four minute desk routine that alleviates back, arm and wrist stiffness which comes from sitting in front of a computer for hours, and more.

All the stretches are illustrated, so Girlawhirl knows just what to do, and there are full explanations for everything at the beginning of the book, like how far to go and how long to hold the stretch.

Girlawhirl keeps a copy of the Computer and Desk Stretches in her top desk drawer and pulls it out when she needs a quick break. She always feels better afterwards!

Girlawhirl found her copy of Stretching by Bob Anderson in her online shopping mall at barnesandnoble.com.

Tiffany Davidson is a personal trainer based in Weston, CT and the owner of Femme Fatale Fitness. Tiffany advises consulting a physician or health care professional before performing any of the exercises described on these pages or beginning any exercise program. The information herein is not intended to be diagnostic or prescriptive.

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