Flexibility

my_jennaration

I have been working on my flexibility over the last couple months. Last week I was really excited because I had improved to being only about 3 inches away from touching my toes. I took a rest day. Now it is like I have started over completely it is all I can do to bend down and reach my mid shin. Is this normal? Any suggestions on what may have caused this? I haven't changed anything I just took a rest day. (I also run most days and do an ab workout.)

katie5524

Do you stretch a lot ?? Stretching helps greatly with flexibility etc also try taking a deep breath while further that usually helps to help Id Id stretch daily of course more gently on your rest days but cold muscles usually aren't that's flexable I hope this mKes sense lol

SueInAz

If you want to keep increasing your flexibility you really should be stretching every day even if you aren't doing any activities that day. You don't need a rest day from stretching like you do other activities. I was a gymnast in my 'tweens and teens and competed in karate into my late 20s so stretching was a daily thing for me and still really is. I still stretch nearly daily although I'm not nearly as limber at 49 as I was back then. Just keep at it and you'll get back there and further.

Smallc10

Were you stretching before your muscles were warm? That has an effect on me. I don't stretch until I've done some sort of warm up that gets all of my muscles nice and limber

my_jennaration

I generally do stretch everyday.. I took a rest day and didn't stretch that day either which I usually try to stretch regardless. I have been stretching after my ab work out, which is generally after I run. However yesterday I didn't run (just did abs) so my muscles probably weren't as warmed up. I hadn't taken that into consideration. Thank you!

futuremanda

Agreeing that stretching is great on rest days and that daily stretching gives the best benefits, as well as warm muscles being more receptive.

But it's also worth noting that your flexibility is not an absolute, it's more of a range, and you will see it vary. Some days you will be more stiff than others, so look more at trends for your whole range over time, and not how well (or not well) you do on any one session. Meaning, you have learned how your muscles may respond when not as warmed up or when you stretch inconsistently. But that doesn't mean you've "lost" a huge amount of range. You probably haven't, and you won't know until you try for several more days anyway.

my_jennaration

futuremanda wrote: »

Agreeing that stretching is great on rest days and that daily stretching gives the best benefits, as well as warm muscles being more receptive.

But it's also worth noting that your flexibility is not an absolute, it's more of a range, and you will see it vary. Some days you will be more stiff than others, so look more at trends for your whole range over time, and not how well (or not well) you do on any one session. Meaning, you have learned how your muscles may respond when not as warmed up or when you stretch inconsistently. But that doesn't mean you've "lost" a huge amount of range. You probably haven't, and you won't know until you try for several more days anyway.

Thank you! That makes me feel better! You guys are awesome.

debsweetcakes

Hi! I have been flexible all my life until I turned 35. Haha! I noticed my muscles became more grainy and so I now stetch after my workouts every other day. My husband is not flexible at all and he stretches every day and it still doesn't de to help. A friend of mine that is a physical therapist suggests stretching after workouts rather than prior. Seems true from experience, I used to get strains when I stretched prior to running. A lot of different factors come to play when flexibility is involved. Good luck and stretch often, when your muscles are warm!

my_jennaration

Thank you! I will keep that in mind! I stretched some last night right after my run then again after my ab workout. It seemed to help, but I am still very stiff.