Stretching and flexibility

LaurySch

So I didn't bother looking through old posts to see if this has been brought up so if you know of one kindly guide me there - I don't mind if you rip me apart as I've done it enough times myself!

I do not do a whole routine of stretches before and after working out (mainly just running and elliptical) and it's not because I'm ignoring the fact that I increase risk of injury, blah, blah, blah.

Mostly I don't do much stretching because it is too hard for me to get that really good stretch feel that tells me I'm pushing the muscle to the edge and I think it's because I'm relatively flexible. All my life people have remarked that I am flexible and amongst average people I can stretch farther than most. My joints just do not bend the right way (or far enough) to get a good stretch. Now I know I'm not a contortionist or anything, not even close. I just want to be able to somewhat avoid the post-workout pain of tight muscles.

For example, two days ago I did about 45 minutes of Wii Bicycling (you can laugh, but it's fun and one of the only things I do on the Wii when there is a blizzard keeping me inside) and today my calf muscles feel so tight and short that...well I could barely walk to the shower. And I cannot lunge far enough with my heel on the ground to ease the pain and the only other option is to stand on the edge of a step on my toes and drop my heels - again, my ankle gets in the way.

Is this something that I have to deal with or is there some magic stretch routine that can help me out?

Mazstermarion

For stretches to be effective it doesnt need to feel like you have that aching feeling, its more about going through the actions. Its a bit like going to gym, you dont always feel like you worked out that hard but every bit helps.

Another rugby approach is to take a cold/ice bath which helps with muscle restoration and reduces stiffness but to get yourself in the ice water is always a problrm!