Stretching...is this a do or don't??
amy_young_doingit
Posts: 11 Member
I'd like to get some advise on stretching. Should I be stretching before working out or after? Or is it important to stretch at all? Will streching change the appearance of my body? For example will it make me look taller and leaner? Thanks for any advice you can give!
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Replies
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I'd like to get some advise on stretching. Should I be stretching before working out or after?
Both but don't do long bouts of stretching prior to lifting. There's been studies done that have proven that long bouts of stretching prior to lifting actually weakens the muscles. That said if a muscle is really tight, stretch it good before lifting. A tight muscle is a short muscle so it needs to stretched a bit longer regardless. As you work muscles, they'll get tight (and shorten) so longer stretching afterwards is a good thing.For example will it make me look taller and leaner?
Not sure if serious?....0 -
Never stretch cold muscles- bad mojo.
You should always do a light warm up of 2-3 minutes (some people say 5 but I don't have time for that) then do some stretching/mobitlity stuff.
then do your work out- stretch's what's tight as you work out- I do a lot of back stretching when I'm doing squats- you are loading the spine- so I like to jump on the pull up bar and dead hang and let the body weight do it's stretching- feels glorious.
Then stretch some more- buy a foam roller- roll what's tight.
Mobitliy, stretching, flexibility- next to rest/recovery- are the two most over lucked aspects of fitness.
Seriously.
make you leaner/taller?
Stretching affects muscles.
Bones make you the height you are.
So. No.0 -
I don't stretch, I just warm up with some cardio before lifting.0
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Warm up (jumping jacks, stairs, whatever, slow jog)
Exercise (lift/cardio)
Static stretching (gentle, slow, stretches - no bouncing)0 -
Warmup - Stretch - Workout - Stretch
That's how I do it anyway ... like another poster said, don't stretch cold muscles, ALWAYS do a warmup (jog, jacks, jumprope). Stretching prevents injury!0 -
Very important after working out, helps prevent injury! I didn't stretch properly and i paid the price!0
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I stretch all the time and practically live on my foam roller. Honestly I don't think it's one of those things for which there is a hard and fast rule... do what feels good to you!0
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I stretch all the time and practically live on my foam roller. Honestly I don't think it's one of those things for which there is a hard and fast rule... do what feels good to you!
I Love/Hate my Foam roller; Foam is Sooooo misleading:laugh: but I do a warm up light stretch, then stretch after. The foam roller really helps with my legs after running and I have fusion at L5-S1 and it is a great help there too0 -
Warmup - Stretch - Workout - Stretch
That's how I do it anyway ... like another poster said, don't stretch cold muscles, ALWAYS do a warmup (jog, jacks, jumprope). Stretching prevents injury!
That depends upon what type of stretching you're talking about. Dynamic stretching prior can, but if you perform static stretching before a workout (warm or not) it can actually heighten the chance of injury. From my experience, dynamic stretching is most commonly recommended prior to exercise. From High School through College, and beyond I've never had a strength and conditioning trainer put us through static stretches prior to competition. Dynamic Stretches/Plyos.0 -
Warmup - Stretch - Workout - Stretch
^^^ This.
Ignore those that are giving advice based on the assumption that you are only lifting. Stretching is vital before doing cardio - go look at any professional sports team you can imagine before they play a game and note how much stretching they do. It helps prevent injury.
Light stretching after cardio also helps reduce the chance of stiffness.
Stretching is less important if all you are doing is lifting, for sure, but I would still do some...0 -
I stretch all the time and practically live on my foam roller. Honestly I don't think it's one of those things for which there is a hard and fast rule... do what feels good to you!
This!^ If you feel particularly tight in one area .....make sure you incorporate stretching (not cold muscles). Everyone is different .....I have tight hamstings....I always have to stretch those.0 -
I foam roll and strectch BUT NEVER BEFORE MY WORKOUTS. I usually do them at night while watching TV. Helps breakdown muscle fibers and speed up recovery.
Instead of stretching before a workout, hop on a treadmill at a steady speed and slight incline for 5-10 min (this will be your warmup). That's it. You're welcome
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Both!!!I'd like to get some advise on stretching. Should I be stretching before working out or after? Or is it important to stretch at all? Will streching change the appearance of my body? For example will it make me look taller and leaner? Thanks for any advice you can give!
do a quick warm up then stretch.. then workout then stretch. It'll help prevent you from injuring yourself, and will help avoid super stiff muscles the next day. Plus it feel AWESOME to stretch after a workout. :~)0 -
I stretch all the time and practically live on my foam roller. Honestly I don't think it's one of those things for which there is a hard and fast rule... do what feels good to you!
I Love/Hate my Foam roller; Foam is Sooooo misleading:laugh: but I do a warm up light stretch, then stretch after. The foam roller really helps with my legs after running and I have fusion at L5-S1 and it is a great help there too
I KNOW!! I have a rumble roller and a trigger point smart core roller and they rotate between heaven (release of upper/lower back tension) and hell (IT Band... 'nuff said!)0 -
Warmup - Stretch - Workout - Stretch
^^^ This.
Ignore those that are giving advice based on the assumption that you are only lifting. Stretching is vital before doing cardio - go look at any professional sports team you can imagine before they play a game and note how much stretching they do. It helps prevent injury.
Light stretching after cardio also helps reduce the chance of stiffness.
Stretching is less important if all you are doing is lifting, for sure, but I would still do some...
Actually static stretching prior to cardio is really....really frowned upon, and many sports teams don't perform static stretching prior to competition. Dynamic stretching and plyometric warmups.0 -
Ok.. what's a foam roller do? How do you use it? What's it's purpose? What's the benefits? Pre cardio? Pre lifting? or Post? both or only for one?0
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snip snip snop
[/b]Stretching is less important if all you are doing is lifting[/b]...bla bla bla
that is the biggest load of crap ever.
It's almost more important. mobility is wildly important to lifting. I stretch more now than I ever did running cross country.0 -
I stretch all the time and practically live on my foam roller. Honestly I don't think it's one of those things for which there is a hard and fast rule... do what feels good to you!
I Love/Hate my Foam roller; Foam is Sooooo misleading:laugh: but I do a warm up light stretch, then stretch after. The foam roller really helps with my legs after running and I have fusion at L5-S1 and it is a great help there too
I KNOW!! I have a rumble roller and a trigger point smart core roller and they rotate between heaven (release of upper/lower back tension) and hell (IT Band... 'nuff said!)
I injured my knee and was using it on IT band and my son was looking at me "Dad WTH! if it hurts so much why are you doing it?":laugh: but in the end it is awesome:happy:0 -
Short cardio warm-up, 3-5 minutes of dynamic stretching before lifting, 3-5 minutes of static stretching or foam rolling after lifting, 25 minutes of yoga on my rest days.
Stretching will make you more flexible, which enables you to have a better range of motion during workouts and daily activities. Some would say that flexibility helps to prevent injuries.0 -
Actually static stretching prior to cardio is really....really frowned upon, and many sports teams don't perform static stretching prior to competition. Dynamic stretching and plyometric warmups.
^ this.0 -
Ok.. what's a foam roller do? How do you use it? What's it's purpose? What's the benefits? Pre cardio? Pre lifting? or Post? both or only for one?
google up self myo-fascial release.
it's essentially deep tissue massage.
Helps break down micro scar tissue- releave tension and "knots"
Helps with mobility- tension- basic day to day issues.
Post workout- I would NEVER EVER EVER roll pre workout- I sometimes hit stuff if I"m having a tight spot- it helps if you are getting a charlie horse or something.
Look it up- it's the best thing since sliced bread.
edit: it hurts. A LOT. IT Band as noted- holy crap.
a comercial foam roller is easily purcahsed at a local sporting goods store- or even target
But you can use PVC pipe- baseball bat, LAX ball, Baseball Wine bottle-
if you are brave enough0 -
Ok.. what's a foam roller do? How do you use it? What's it's purpose? What's the benefits? Pre cardio? Pre lifting? or Post? both or only for one?
google up self myo-fascial release.
it's essentially deep tissue massage.
Helps break down micro scar tissue- releave tension and "knots"
Helps with mobility- tension- basic day to day issues.
Post workout- I would NEVER EVER EVER roll pre workout- I sometimes hit stuff if I"m having a tight spot- it helps if you are getting a charlie horse or something.
Look it up- it's the best thing since sliced bread.
edit: it hurts. A LOT. IT Band as noted- holy crap.
a comercial foam roller is easily purcahsed at a local sporting goods store- or even target
But you can use PVC pipe- baseball bat, LAX ball, Baseball Wine bottle-
if you are brave enough
It is incredible BUT when you hear FOAM, you think "Hmmm foam, cloud, soft cuddly, YOU ARE WRONG!!:laugh:0 -
But you can use PVC pipe- baseball bat, LAX ball, Baseball Wine bottle-
if you are brave enough
Having the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy sucks, sometimes. Giggity.0 -
Actually static stretching prior to cardio is really....really frowned upon, and many sports teams don't perform static stretching prior to competition. Dynamic stretching and plyometric warmups.
This!
Static stretching of cold muscles in the middle of a wet, frozen rugby pitch was what people did in the 1970's!
My hamstrings are shuddering with the memories......0 -
But you can use PVC pipe- baseball bat, LAX ball, Baseball Wine bottle-
if you are brave enough
Having the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy sucks, sometimes. Giggity.
LOL thank you for picking that one up- and no- it doesn't suck
wink wink nudge nudge.... I'm a 16 year old little boy trapped in a 30 year old woman's body- talk about weird. 0 -
I never stretch before exercise - Cardio or Lifting.
I just do a 5min warm up on either the treadmill or the bike depending on what I'm doing that day.
I always stretch after though because I noticed just how much more sore I was the day after if I forgot to stretch!!!!!0 -
It's pointless to compare high school athletes who have no tight muscles to adults with desk jobs who frequently do have tight muscles. Static stretching IS sometimes appropriate before exercise, and this page explains when & how:
To stretch or not to stretch before exercise?
http://www.freewebs.com/fitbest/stretching.htm
What's a cold muscle? Body temperature is about 100 degrees. That's pretty darn warm!0 -
It's pointless to compare high school athletes who have no tight muscles to adults with desk jobs who frequently do have tight muscles. Static stretching IS sometimes appropriate before exercise, and this page explains when & how:
To stretch or not to stretch before exercise?
http://www.freewebs.com/fitbest/stretching.htm
What's a cold muscle? Body temperature is about 100 degrees. That's pretty darn warm!
Sorry, static stretching is still not advised. Even your link indicates warming up.
Who's comparing HS athletes to adults with desk jobs. It is indicating trainers at all levels don't advise static stretching prior to exercise.0 -
Warmup - Stretch - Workout - Stretch
That's how I do it anyway ... like another poster said, don't stretch cold muscles, ALWAYS do a warmup (jog, jacks, jumprope). Stretching prevents injury!
That depends upon what type of stretching you're talking about. Dynamic stretching prior can, but if you perform static stretching before a workout (warm or not) it can actually heighten the chance of injury. From my experience, dynamic stretching is most commonly recommended prior to exercise. From High School through College, and beyond I've never had a strength and conditioning trainer put us through static stretches prior to competition. Dynamic Stretches/Plyos.
^^ this guy, right here!! :drinker:0 -
Ok.. what's a foam roller do? How do you use it? What's it's purpose? What's the benefits? Pre cardio? Pre lifting? or Post? both or only for one?
google up self myo-fascial release.
it's essentially deep tissue massage.
Helps break down micro scar tissue- releave tension and "knots"
Helps with mobility- tension- basic day to day issues.
Post workout- I would NEVER EVER EVER roll pre workout- I sometimes hit stuff if I"m having a tight spot- it helps if you are getting a charlie horse or something.
Look it up- it's the best thing since sliced bread.
edit: it hurts. A LOT. IT Band as noted- holy crap.
a commercial foam roller is easily purchased at a local sporting goods store- or even target
But you can use PVC pipe- baseball bat, LAX ball, Baseball Wine bottle-
if you are brave enough
Thank you.. i hit my legs sometime.. they hurt after a long cardio session.. Esp during combat or insanity. They have them at my gym... maybe i will try it. Might help get rid of shin splints I've been getting.0
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