How important is "proper" stretching?

[xonic2xonic2]

It seems to me that even though it's importance is often suggested, most people don't really bother, including many who have great physiques...

I'm interested in knowing what difference if any proper stretching has made for people. By proper stretching I don't mean the quick pre/post set "yawns" I mean full blown, 30 second holds with progressive load. I think that you could easily add half an hour to each workout incorporating full stretches.

It's probably nice to increase flexiability but really, from experience has full blown stretch routines really benefitted anyone here's physique?

Thanks!

 

[Cornobbled]

It certainly helps from the point of injury. You should always stretch out before lifting. I myslef am guilty of not doing this when I am in a hurry and last night while doing bench it caught up with me. I pulled what feels like my tri and delt somehow by getting in a hurry and dropping the bar to fast.

 

[xonic2xonic2]

Yup... I do basic stretching (seems to be more than I see a lot of ppl doing..) just not full blown hardcore.... What I do seems to prevent injury... I usually do 1 or 2 warmup sets, stretch that body part for 20-30 seconds and then maybe some more when I'm done my workout. I just know that I could "push it more" if I made the effort... I could push a deeper stretch but I just don't know if there is a real benefit beyond flexibilty... "proper" stretching means it's gonna hurt good (at least the last 10 seconds) with each stretch and is going to be done more frequently...

 

[flex123]

I don't stretch but I guess I should

 

[Maetenloch]

According to this article on CNN's web site, stretching before exercise has been found to have almost no effect as far as preventing injury. That said, I still do a stretch routine before I work out. I feel more relaxed after stretching, and it also helps me mentally get focused on my workout.

 

[nbk]

Streching is necessary for the body...

Helps with lactic acid, maintains flexibility, releives the stress caused.

I dont need a cientific journal to know that stretching is something FUNDAMENTAL for me, my body asks for it, its common sense.

Think yoga, cats stretching...

Listen to your bodys, streching is complementary to warming up!

 

[gonelifting]

IMO only... stretching is good for going slightly past your range of motion. Anything too far beyond that will cause unneccessary stress. IMO

I am basically limber in all bodyparts except my hamstrings where I stretch them. Warming up with light weights and increased reps is very important to me for blood circulation, I don`t do the 1/2 hour stretching.

 

[shortstack]

if your an old fart, then its impotant lol.
sorry to all you old farts that i called you an old fart.

 

[ghack]

I don't beleive in pre-workout stretching but I do a good 30 minutes on the bike before I hit the weights - gets the blood flowing to all the muscles and I refuse to spend 30 minutes on a mat stretching out - looks pretty gay - and I have yet to injure myself lifting yet.