Stretching...

[eando]

How often do you stretch out B4 a workout? After a workout? Is there any correlation between strectching and cramping or does that only have to do with hydration?

 

[jumpmaster82]

I stretch for a few mins b4 and after I workout

 

[eando]

Is there a reason that you do? Do you feel that there are any benefits? I was never one to stretch but I have become so tight lately that I think I might start.

 

[BIGBUCK$]

i always do before and after also

 

[Acela]

i stretch religiously before, during & after all of my workouts. I hate standing still @ the gym so i will stretch in between sets just to keep the blood flowing

 

[njmuscleguy]

Old school thinking used to be to stretch considerably before a workout.... now they're saying that it's not a good idea to stretch so much before... better to do a few very light warm-up sets or even warm-up on a treadmill or bike for 10-15 minutes to get the blood flowing through the muscles. The thinking now is it's crucial to stretch substantially *after* a workout

 

[sopac]

I stretch during my workout.

 

[captainahole]

It is extremely important to stretch out especially after a workout. Stretching out will help to minimize lactic acid buildup, cramping, toxin build up in muscles.
It help to stretch out the fascia that allows the muscles to grow. They figure you spend 90 minutes in the gym pounding the muscles good and hard taking 10 minutes at the end shouldn't be an issue.
Also deep tissue massages once a month or so will greatly improve growth, healing and toxic buildup.

 

[st8grad]

You need to stretch after a workout and not before. Most people overstretch their muscles with static stretches and the result is a decrease in strength. It is more important to warm up before lifting which you should be taking care of with your warm up sets anyway.

 

[glover]

New studies show that stretching does no good. Skip it you will find that lifting makes you very flexible.

 

[marvelous54]

New studies show that stretching does no good. Skip it you will find that lifting makes you very flexible.

I think you are providing BAD info bro. It is true that stretching to rigorously before workouts can cause a loss in strength but it is very important to stretch post-workout. I guarantee you that lifting alone does not make you more flexible. The bigger we get the less flexible we get unless we stretch our muscles. I see guys all that time that can lift the world but would get the hell beat out of them in most fights because they can't move... due to not stretching.

The only way that strength training could make you "truly" more flexible is if you are not gaining any size... who the hell wants to do that?

 

[ALIN]

I stretch for a few mins b4 and after I workout

i stretch before and after.

 

[nzrodney]

Its interesting to note that there are for & against on the topic of stretching. Personally, I go straight into warmup sets 1-2 & then stretch during training especially when doing heavy sets. But I'm not great on doing stretches between every set & at the end of a workout. Lately, I have had some deep tissue massage but not really noicing a great change to flexability. Is there any studies that conclusively confirm that stretching is essential during or after resistance training & what are the benefits?