Stretching

pequin

pequin

New member
Confused about stretching...

I've read that you should always stretch before you workout. Then this morning I read an article that said never stretch before you workout, but during because the muscles are cold and will tear more easily. I'm confused.

Most days I don't stretch just because I forget. On the days that I remember to stretch, I tire more easily & my hip starts hurting.

Am I doing it wrong or just at the wrong time??
 
I believe that ideally, you should stretch after you are warmed up rather than before you start to do any exercise.

I do this in karate, where we always do a cardio warm up and get our heart rates up before we do any stretching, as well as when I was working with my cycling coach, I would start every single ride with 15 of really easy cyling, then stop and stretch and then begin my bike workout.

My 2 cents....
 
Ok - that goes along with what I read this morning and thats what I did today, walked a slow 1/4 mile, stretched a bit then finished up with a mile. No hip pains either.

Thank You!!! :D
 
Yeah, at Curves they make us stretch after we exercise. And ohhh does it feel good stretching those muscles afterwards. I love stretching. Sometimes I see people walking out after their exercise and don't stretch. Oh well.

The Curves instructor also told me that it helps you lose up to 17% more body weight than you normally would without stretching.
 
Really? 17%, Wow - guess I need to be more diligent about it. I know I always felt better doing my yoga after I walked.
 
I agree with 12pack.... warm up first, then stretch.

Think of your muscles as if they're rubber bands. Stretch them when they're cold and you could damage them. Warm them up, and they stretch a whole lot easier.

I often stretch even after my workout.
 
Ok.. so after warm up stretch (before the major walkage), then stretch a bit after.

Thanks for clearing it all up for me everyone.. it was driving me crazy..lol. :D:D:D
 
Unless you have a specific reason (tight muscle, a reoccuring injury), I would save the stretching for after your workout. The current research shows that, for most people, stretching has little value in injury prevention. It's much more important to warmup properly than to stretch before exercise.

When you are finished working out, your muscles are warm and stretching will help increase flexibility, which decreases with age.
 
I find that stopping and stretching about 5 minutes into my 45-minute walk REALLY helps. No shin splints (which have derailed my exercise plans before) and no tight muscles. I also do a thorough stretch after I work out. My flexibility has really increased. Just my 2 cents.
 
Hey there!
I feel qualified to put this one to rest. It's very important to stretch, and optimal to do it after a warmup, like many of you have been doing! It's risky to stretch a cold muscle.
While stretching itself is not going to give you a big calorie burn, it relaxes your muscles so that they are better prepared to handle what you're about to put them through, whether it is strength training or cardio.
The true value of stretching is always debated for it's "exercise importance", but so many people forget that flexibility in itself is another aspect of fitness!

(For those of you who don't know, I'm a certified trainer- this is what I was taught, and have also learned in my Pre-Med program.)

Just my two cents.
 
Yeah, one time in P.E., we started stretching before going out to the track, but my muscles were too stiff and it was difficult for me to stretch like everyone else was. Afterwords, I wasn't able to walk very quickly or very far, and I ached.

But I've noticed that if I start walking at a not-so-fast pace for a little while and then stretch, I don't have issues like that at all. I think the proper method is to warm up a little first, then stretch, then move on to your full-speed workout, stretch again at the close of your work out, and cool down.
 
I am interested in becoming more flexible as I lose weight and am wondering if I should focus more on stretching now on a weekly basis and/or wait until I lose some of the weight I am carrying?

Do any of you have a stretching program that you do in addition to your exercises etc?

TIA.
 
I do 10 minutes of stretching after every workout. My flexibility has really increased since I've started.
 
I recently heard that stretching prior to a work-out actually causes more injuries then not stretching. It was on the Today show, I have no links, sorry. I guess it has something to do with loosening up the muscles too much to the point where when you work out you cant stabelize them.
 
LollipopKid said:
I recently heard that stretching prior to a work-out actually causes more injuries then not stretching. It was on the Today show, I have no links, sorry. I guess it has something to do with loosening up the muscles too much to the point where when you work out you cant stabilize them.
Click to expand...

I believe it's true if you don't do a warm up first, but not for the reasons the show stated! Ideally, walk for 5 minutes on the treadmill, or pedal slowly on a bike, etc., get off, gently stretch (don't bounce or force- it's bad form when it comes to stretching!) for five minutes, then proceed to do your workout. After your workout be sure to stretch again, and revel in your accomplishment!

By the way, I have read that an effective stretch is held for 30 seconds for it to have any benefit. I use my iPod to help time it.
 
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