Does flexing build muscle?

[01dragonslayer]

What if the flexing one does after taking a shower each day could strengthen them and help build muscles? Well, that would mean the more one showers, the more one flexes, resulting in one building muscles. Flexing can help muscle building, most notably for untrained individuals. For regular lifters, the muscle change that may occur due to flexing may not be easily noticeable. If you want to know if flexing builds muscles, this discussion is for you.

What is Muscle Flexing?​

Muscle flexing is the creation of tension that temporarily makes the muscle fiber smaller or contracted. You create tension in the muscles tightening them up, which is what flexing is all about. A good example is the biceps and triceps squeeze. It's something anybody can do and feel the body muscles tightening up. You then hold the tightened muscles for a while to pose, resulting in isometric contraction.

Benefits of Muscle Flexing​

There are many benefits associated with muscle flexing. Here is an in-depth review of the most significant ones;

It Improves the Stiffness of the Tendon
Flexing results in muscles' isometric contraction, which is a great way of increasing tendon stiffness. This will bring much-needed benefits to the tendon and overall muscular health. The fibers require a certain degree of elasticity that helps shock absorption when carrying a load and making daily movements. The tendon has a vital role in attaching the muscles to the bones. The increased stiffness allows the muscle to position itself perfectly to handle movements requiring force.

Flexing Improves Muscle Performance
Flexing regularly improves the overall performance of the muscles. The isometric contractions caused by flexing can greatly help in maximal force production. For that reason, it is ideal for sports and other exercises that require loads of power, such as Olympic lifting, American Football, Sprinting, and many others.



It is Ideal for Blood Pressure Management
Muscle flexing is an exercise that helps in the management of blood pressure. Research has shown that it lowers the mean arterial pressure, DBP and SBP. That results in overall high blood pressure.

Improves your Balance
Muscle flexing helps stretch the spine, improving balance and core stability. This is essential for someone who likes working out or involved in different sporting activities.

No equipment required
This exercise does not require any form of equipment or space for a workout. You can do it from anywhere at any time since all you are moving is your body parts.

Can you Build Muscles by Just Flexing Them?​

Muscle is built from mechanical tension regardless of the form it comes in. Flexing your muscles will stimulate growth as long as there is enough tension. Many may claim this to be an unorthodox method but it will surely work.
The reality is that muscles grow when placed under stress. The stress should be great for it to compel the muscle to adapt and grow stronger and larger. That is why people see a plateau in muscle because the exercises they are undertaking are no longer compelling enough to elicit this kind of response.
Technically, flexing improves the already existing routine that may have gone stale. You may still need to change the workout routine but flexing adds strain on the muscle thus making it bigger. Flexing muscles when doing exercises will stimulate more muscle fibers, thus making them strain more, bringing out better results.
Flexing muscles, an isometric exercise, exerts pressure on the muscles without movement. It helps in bringing up a lagging part of the body. Flexing the same muscle groups after exercising help in achieving maximum growth. A good example is doing a side chest pose after a set of bench presses. With continuous practice, you will learn how to flex the body's major muscles.

When is flexing Most Helpful?​

Flexing comes in handy, especially when recovering from an injury in and around the common areas. It will help alleviate pain and not exert extra stress on the joint. In case you are suffering from conditions such as arthritis or have a joint injury, flexing your muscles will not be painful as other types of exercises. These exercises can also be particularly helpful to people at risk of hypertension and those who already suffer from it. Muscle flexing will help create more room for muscle growth for those who work out regularly. In a nutshell, muscle flexing can help anyone, young or old. The mind-muscle connection is a whole new phenomenon and flexing will make you feel your body's muscle movement, and that's therapy in itself.

Examples of Flexing Exercises​

Different types of muscle-flexing exercises can target various parts of the body. Some of them include the following;

1. Plank
This is one of the most well-known muscle-flexing exercises. This is because it can be done anywhere and gives your core muscles an extensive workout. This is how it is done.
A very simple plank is done by resting on your forearms and toes. You hold that pose with your

• Buttocks clenched, and the entire body is parallel to the ground. That engages the abdominal muscles extensively.
• You can do at least 4 planks per day at 30 seconds each. You will feel the muscles of your body stretching efficiently.

2. Wall Sit
This flexing exercise focuses on your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. These are vital muscles, and you need to learn how to flex them properly. Here is the way to go about it;

• First, you should place your back against the wall and ensure that your feet are about twenty inches from the wall.
• Proceed to lower your back to where the legs form a 90-degree angle with the wall.
• Hold that pose for about twenty seconds.
• Do four sets of these poses while resting between each interval.

3. Bent-over Wall Press
This incredible flexing exercise works on the shoulder and chest muscles. This is how it is done;

• First, you need to stand in a lunge position while facing the wall. Make sure that one foot is Infront of the other.
• Then bend while facing the wall with both hands pushing flat against the wall.
• Hold that position for about twenty-five seconds and do about four sets daily for better results.
• If you are upright, you will flex the chest muscles, and as you lean further forward, the shoulder muscles will also benefit.

4. Biceps and Triceps Squeeze
This exercise works on the triceps and the biceps. The process of doing this exercise is simple. Here is how it is done;

• Bend your left arm in a right-angled pose and ensure that your left palm is facing up.
• Proceed and press your right hand down into your left hand while at the same time pushing your right hand with the left one.
• Hold that position for thirty seconds, and then switch your left and right hand consecutively.
• Do three to four sets every day for optimum results.

5. Adductors Squeeze
This is a muscle-flexing exercise that targets the adductors. Here is the ideal way of doing this exercise;

• Lie on the floor and ensure that your feet are flat on the floor, and then bend your knees.
• Place a ball between your knees, and then try squeezing it between the legs.
• Hold the squeezing position for about ten seconds and then pause.
• Do that about 10 times for about four sets a day for the best results.

6. Body Hold
This exercise is vital in strengthening and stabilizing the core muscles. Here is what you need to do;

• The first thing you need to do is sit on the floor with bent knees and a flat floor.
• Proceed to straighten your legs and raise your arms, simultaneously creating a V shape with your body.
• Hold that position for about twenty seconds and do four sets in a day.

Safety Tips for Muscle Flexing
Though muscle-flexing exercises are generally safe, there are some safety precautions one needs to look out for.
First, you may feel the urge to hold your breath for a long while flexing a certain pose. However, that should not be the case because it can result in a sudden increase in blood pressure. You should continue breathing as you do your muscle flexing exercises and then try relaxing the muscles that were directly linked to the strain.

Wrap Up​

Muscle flexing plays a vital role in the growth and development of muscles. If you are suffering from an injury, flexing will be pivotal in helping you alleviate that pain. Studies have shown that flexing also helps those with conditions such as hypertension, among others. The simplicity of this workout makes it ideal for everyone.