Stretching

[waldowade]

There's so many different recommendations on stretching, what is the consensus here? I usually do some repetition stretching (3-5 min) after my first set and then do some static stetching (4-6 min) at then end of my workout.

Is this effective (it feels like it), or do I need to be doing something better than this?

 

[TSO]

Does it work for you? That is the key. My creaky bones and joints HAVE to have been stretched before I start my workout, or they pay me back for the remainder of the day.

Experiment to what stretches and when you stretch, use what your body reacts best to.

 

[captainahole]

I have recently read a white paper on stretching out muscle groups that have been trained.
It seems that each muscle is in a sack of sort that harnesses your muscles.
It went on to say that the muscle gets restricted in the sacks and will actually hinder growth if not stretched out.
I have implemented it into my routines now and to say it is right or wrong is really quite irrelevant. But the extra flexability and helping to remove lactic acid build up does seem to give it a positive anyway.
If it does help with growth that would be a bonus.
It also did mention that many lifters that have the extra flexibility in the mucsle sacks will encounter stretch marks but strength and growth is much more prominant.

by the way the word sack is just an easier term before anyone gets all technical on the name look it up if it's that important.

 

[u418936]

Foam rollers are awesome. I got a lot more flexible when I started using them regularly.

 

[needtogetaas]

do it as much as you can all day,before and after work outs its good for you.

 

[sopac]

I never used to stretch during or before a workout, Ive recently started some extreme stretching after i finish my last set for each muscle that i work out. It seems to help me recover from my workouts quicker.

 

[thebadguy54]

Foam rollers are awesome. I got a lot more flexible when I started using them regularly.

I agree.

Read this:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=475832

 

[beerdrinker]

The foam rollers sound good.

I'm a huge fan of stretching. I think the older you get the more necessary it is. I wish I would have taken it more seriously long before now. There's more to stretching than I thought, and it took a pilates type workout to show me.

 

[Gymgurl]

Foam rollers are awesome! I love them......I only stretch after I am warmed up.....never cold.....cold muscles won't stretch easily and will cause strain