Stretch before, or after running?

reginakarl
reginakarl Posts: 68 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I found if I do yoga before running (3-10 miles) my calves and hips aren't sore.

I've seen articles saying that stretching before running is not preferable.

I'm going to keep stretching before and after my runs. What are your thoughts?

Replies

  • PaperDoll_
    PaperDoll_ Posts: 32,857 Member
    Do what works best for you.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I like to stretch after. But I sometimes do yoga at home before I go for a long run.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Every year a study emerges advocating before or after, both, or neither.

    Do what works for you. The evidence remains unclear.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I like after. I find good stretching helps reduce muscle soreness.

    I've never found stretching cold to be helpful to me. I find a warm up more beneficial. Ymmv
  • VUA21
    VUA21 Posts: 2,072 Member
    I do a little of both. About 2 minutes warming up before my run, then after my run I walk for at least 10 minutes followed by a good 10 minutes of yoga/stretching.

    Do what works for you.
  • RunnerGrl1982
    RunnerGrl1982 Posts: 412 Member
    Everyone here has pretty much said it. Whichever method works for you, go for it.

    For me, I lightly stretch before-hand. Then I'll get out and do a very light warm-up to get the blood flowing in my legs. After that, I get into my workout run, and when I finish I'll do a walking cool-down.

  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    Static stretching of cold muscles is not recommended at any time. However yoga is not exactly static. Assuming it is done properly, you warm up as you advance through your routine. It probably has the same effect as active stretches (warming up) before you run.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    ^^This.. Exactly what I was going to say. Yoga is a form of dynamic stretching/warm up. Glad you found something that helps.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    LaDispute57 wrote: »
    What is stretching?

    I think it’s that walk from my front door to the starting point of my run.

    But seriously, OP, if you’re following a yoga routine that includes a warm-up and it’s working for you, keep it up. And good for you for incorporating flexibility exercises...a lot of us runners don’t do enough of that :)
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I start running at the front curb and stop there. I never stretch, probably because I hate it.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    My answer would be...yes. Stretch before and after.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Static stretching before a run is not recommended but dynamic stretching is. I don't really see yoga as being static stretching...more dynamic stretching.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    dynamic stretching before, static after.
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    dynamic stretching before, static after.

    ^ yep
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