1. Get Fit, Stay Fit

86. Don’t Do These Stretches

The following stretches, although popular, may injure you or aggravate an existing ailment like a back or other orthopedic problem. Avoid:

The plow.

In this stretch, you lie on your back and raise your legs until your feet are resting on the floor behind your head.

The hurdler’s stretch.

For this one, sit on the floor with one leg extended forward and the other extended behind you, with the knee bent.

The toe touch.

This familiar stretch requires you to bend at the hips to touch your toes, with your legs straight and knees locked.