You should be as devoted to stretching as you are to lifting.

[overhead]

I never said anything about stretching before a workout, did I?

Strength training is not in itself stretching, because your muscles grow tighter as they grow bigger/stronger. Maybe in some instances like the squat, but you should in NO WAY feel a stretch in the squat. Do you think it's a good idea to have a loaded stretch on your hips with hundreds of pounds? Ever wonder why so many people complain about their shoulders on the dip? Dipping is easy to do safely, the reason their shoulders hurt is because the region (pecs, shoulders, or pec-shoulder tie-in) is extremely tight.

No need to even dignify your last comment.

I feel a stretch in my hamstrings everytime I squat, thats how I know I am sitting back and not down. Also, I would say that some have issue with there shoulders do to muscle imbalances and excess mobility in the joint, not muscle tightness. Muscle tightness evenly across the joint would actually make the joint more stable.

 

[rjl296]

. Muscle tightness evenly across the joint would actually make the joint more stable.

 

[MrTrap]

Slobber, when I was doing PLing, stretching definitely helped me. I didn't do a lot and I don't think you need to do a lot. But it definitely helped recovery and it definitely helped with using the most efficient form.

It still helps with reducing discomfort from old injuries, speeding recovery, and so on. So I'll keep doing it.

Traps

 

[Lord_Suston]

stretching, beneficial-yes
same amount of time as weightlifting-no
Stretching is good for athletes who would like to have the flexability in muscle and tendons, not ligaments. The reason I say muscle is that continual contraction of a muscle allows for the actin and myosin fibers to actually creep closer together, by stretching after a workout you can get the fibers to lengthen to original state. This prevent loss of flexability.

Stretching for joint mobility should be done when the joint hinders one's training or goals. By stretchin tendons all the time you have a chance to create tears in the myotendon junction, or muscle, or creating a hypermobile joint(although very rare cases).

I stretch after workout in the opposite plane of my lifts to keep the muscle fully functional

 

[Liftbig]

i think stretching is good for recovery. but i hardly ever stretch, i know i probably should more but i just dont, lol. even though i dont stretch alot im very flexible just from lifting weights. i wouldnt obsess over stretching. but i think if your stretched for like 5 minutes when you wake up in the morning. and a little bit before and after you lift youd be fine.

i dont stretch before i workout on purpose though. i dont really like the idea of stretching a cold muscle. i would warm up first get the muscle warm, and have some blood flowing in there, and then stretch.

 

[ffknight84]

One thing that many of us neglect is a proper stretching regimen. When my ART/chiropractor was working on my hips, he said the region was extremely tight, to which I explained how I was doing it pretty half-assed (as well as skipping sessions). He responded that you should spend as much time stretching as you do lifting. Stretching is very important, if you're lifting with 100% devotation, you're still only giving your total training 50% if you're neglecting proper stretching. Most injuries, tears etc. can be totally prevented if one applies a focused regimen to their lifestyle. I now put forth an hour every day towards my flexibility. Not only are my injuries becoming remedied (stretching as prehab for future injury while ART eliminates my current injuries) but I feel much better with less stress as a result.

Take a holistic approach to your training. A balanced regimen includes serious, devoted attention to your body's flexibility. To many this is common sense. For many its a procrastination issue (I'll start stretching soon, but I don't have time today). Implement it NOW, you'll be glad you did!

did he tell you how to make your hips more flexible??

 

[Debaser]

I already knew the stretches, though he did show me a new one.

 

[coolcolj]

Well I don't stretch before my workout, just dynamic movements and dynamic swings, some shoudler disolactes.

I do stretch after my workout - but I only hold each stretch for 3 secs or so, and do lots of em. Always have, always will.

 

[BigWh1tey]

I think that static stretches are a waste of time. I think stretching beyond the ROM that you need for your sport is dangerous and will lead to injury, it teaches your nervous system to relax as you reach your Limit ROM and and defeats natural reflex actions that prevent injury.
When I was Kick Boxing and training Tang Soo Do, I could do full side and front splits but i got there through PNF routines not old school partner stretching.

 

[slobberknocker]

Well I don't stretch before my workout, just dynamic movements and dynamic swings, some shoudler disolactes.

I do stretch after my workout - but I only hold each stretch for 3 secs or so, and do lots of em. Always have, always will.

Why 3 sec. Is that so you don't lose the stretch reflex?