Anyone else rarely ever stretch?

The most research over the last few years supports what you're doing. No benefit has been found to stretching before exercise, and in fact it can decrease performance and increase injury. There may be some benefit to stretching after.

Here are some links to reliable sources.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/flexibility/a/aa022102a.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-04-15-stretching-muscles_N.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/pre-exercise-stretching-killing-workout/story?id=11835944#.T34KUMBulDQ

Mickey - you may be able to help the aches and pains by stretching after.

I run and lift but rarely stretch (and never before exercise) as prt of my routine. I hate stretching to be honest.

but... I do find myself stretching out my shoulders and arms quite frequently at work (I have a desk job).

I pretty much never stretch unless I am doing a class where it is part of the class or if I am sore from lifting.

I usually stretch throughout the day. It feels good. Like someone else on here, I used to dance and I am sad that all the strength training I have been doing is limiting my flexibility, so (yoga is how I like to stretch) is a must for me. Everyday. Plus it is incredibly relaxing.

I always do a good stretch and warm up sets before I lift. I'm a male, 190 lbs 5'8 and can almost touch my forehead to my knees when I do a hamstring stretch standing. My OPINION is having this kind of flexibility gives a larger range of motion for my strength training, which means a better workout.

I don't stretch a lot, but tend to do it mostly after exercise. However, I'm 71 and now wish I had given more attention to stretching in the past. I've lost quite a bit of flexibility and it's not easy to get back at this point. Something to consider.

I never stretch before my runs and I only stretch if I feel like I need it after major runs. I haven't had any injuries since I stopped stretching before runs. I make sure that I walk a bit to loosen up before I start running, though.

I went for a long time not stretching. I believed (and still do, to a degree), that a gradual warmup is all one really needs. And then I injured my groin with heavy squats. After that happened, I started foam rolling and doing some mobility exercises & dynamic stretching prior to weight lifting workouts. I find that it really warms me up, much more effectively than just warmup sets (which I still do), and thusfar it seems to have gone a long way in preventing further injuries, and making the whole workout feel "looser" and better. I'm planning to stick with it for the foreseeable future.

I'm in my 30's and I stretch before and after I run. I suffered a pinched nerve/sciatica episode that took ages for me to feel 100%. When I stretch, I aim for my back and hip area to prevent future problems.

I don't stretch unless something feels tight. I have been meaning to add stretching to my routine though to increase my flexibility.

I stretch every workout... i warm up before stretching though. I'll bike five minutes, then do a really good stretch. I've found that i perform better after stretching. But, as you can see from the fact that I start every sentence with "I," this is just me. everyone's different. I just know that if I don't stretch before I run, calf cramps and hip stiffness will derail me before I get far.

I am also guilty of this. I do vinyasa yoga about once a week, which helps with flexibility. I will stretch if I am sore or having cramps. However, I am not religious about doing it after runs and hikes. Hopefully I don't regret this too much later.

I do a dynamic warmup before pretty much any kind of exercise and stretch after. I love stretching and like to take advantage of having my muscles warmed up.

+1

The research I have read supports the practice of a warmup or dynamic stretching before and after. So thats what I do.

I am now 42.. Went to doc.. You have plantars fasciitis and tarsal tunnel in your ankle..Me: huh!! Why!! Doctor: O it's probably been building for years, do you stretch your feet before walking or jogging? The ligament that runs under your foot has been tightening and tightening, as you get older that gets less resilient and begins to pull away from the bone.. and also creates mini tears and could get bad enough to require surgery.. me.. 6 month of severe limping pain.. sleeping in a boot..

Me.. Dr. My shoulder is killing me!! Dr... You have torn rotator cuff, how much weight do you lift and are you spending any time warming up or stretching out those muscles before or after???

Me: Dr.. My knees... (short version) meniscus tear in both.. 3 Different doctors.. 2 knee surgeries, 2 torn rotator cuffs, plantars fasciitis and tarsal tunnel.. a partridge in a pear tree..

Food for thought.. some surgeries have an only 1% death rate.. problem is,, someone has to make up that 1%.. Why not do things that may lesson your chance of bieng in that 1%... I will now stretch... Who needs a study when you get older and the reality of the bad habits you founded when young come back to slap you in the face...