Warming up before stretching?

curvykatie
curvykatie Posts: 870 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

I'm wanting to start working on my flexibility and am looking at putting together a stretch routine.

If I were to do only stretching (rather than paired with cardio or weights) would I need to warm up first? (I'm guessing yes to warm up my muscles and avoid injury)

If so, would 5min on the cross trainer or a DVD fitness class warm up be ok?

Thanks
Katie

Replies

  • junlex123
    junlex123 Posts: 81 Member
    You're right, you do need to warm-up before doing a stretching routine, or you'll end up pulling something pretty quickly. 5 mins of light cardio to raise the heart rate, body temperature and bloodflow should be sufficient, so cross trainer/workout dvd should do the trick.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Look into dynamic stretching. It involves movement so you're basically warming up and stretching at the same time. Links below with some examples.

    http://www.bloomtofit.com/5-killer-dynamic-stretching-exercises

    http://www.runnersworld.com/stretching/a-dynamic-routine?page=single
  • IvyLuci
    IvyLuci Posts: 117 Member
    You definitely need to warm up before stretching. Make sure that everything is really warmed up. I find that my hips take a while, that is why I do my stretching at the end of my gym time, and even then it's not always as good as I want it to be.

    In any case, take it slow, don't force anything, and remember to breathe :-)

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