To Stretch or Not to Stretch? That is the question.
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jsk85 posted 24 weeks ago.
I don't stretch in regards to running or pre-workout...if I'm doing long, steady runs I go out slow and warm my legs and loosen them up as I go. If I'm doing shorter, higher intensity stuff I'll do some warmup running beforehand to loosen them up, and this may (usually doesn't) involve some dynamic stretching. If I feel real tight post-run, I'll do some static stretching but this isn't common either.
I do try to do some static stretching in the evening on occaision to keep my overall flexibility up, but this isn't associated with a workout and is usually done in front of the TV
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mrgy posted 24 weeks ago.
I stretch before runs... just a couple of pretty quick ones, I'm not sure if my muscles really benefit from it, but it makes me feel ready to go.
And overall I'm not a very flexible person, so I stretch after all my workouts so that I can work on that. I think it's something that depends on each individual.
"Loving is labour, labour is life, and life is forever" - Ted Leo
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prendergi posted 24 weeks ago.
I stretch after runs. Never before. Only because from the information that I have read and trying to apply common sense to what works for my body - streching when my muscles are cold vs. warm - doesn't feel nearly as good or beneficial. I can tell how much my muscles contract after a workout (like running) and I feel flexibility is an overall health benefit.
"The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret" - Sarah Bombell
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wannakona posted 24 weeks ago.
I stretch after bike and run, sometimes, when i don't forget. But usually i'm so tired after each that all i want to do is do nothing.
When something starts hurting more then usual i also concentrate on stretching that area and rolling it.
Works for me.
Konstantin
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jhudalla posted 24 weeks ago.
I rarely give any serious thought to stretching. But I do the typical bends and leg grabs after a hard run. I've found the rollers to be the most beneficial aid in my recovery after a big day.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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tritoride28 posted 24 weeks ago.
I recall reading an article in triathlete mag about how yoga can really improve quality of workouts and can help to keep you injury free. I dynamically stretch for about a min before a run and after a little warm up on the bike. It helps me feel loose and i am able to generate more power because of it.
Static stretching is a whole different game because you are trying to extend your range of motion and improve flexibilty. Dynamically stretching means moving and being active in a way that gets your muscles ready for load (you dont go further than you have gone before).
As part of my tapering routine, i include a 20-30 min stretch in the mornings and i have never felt better.
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jwillia852 posted 24 weeks ago.
I do everything I can to loosen joints and tendons before I workout and then may stretch after if I remember - but not static stretch.
Jeff
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tri-ac posted 24 weeks ago.
i have had back surgery and i stretch my legs and lower back after most workouts (i'm guilty of getting lazy about it sometimes)
but i definitely have sciatic issues if i just stop stretching for a few weeks
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Star posted 24 weeks ago.
I do 10 minutes of yoga stretches after every run, bike, and swim. I use a few during weight lifting sessions as well :) I have the Pro Stretch (for calves) and nothing feels better than that stretch immediately after a long run.
It amazes me when I see a person come into the parking lot from a bike or run and before they even stop breathing heavily, jump into their car and drive off. For me, stretching helps prevent injury and just plain feels good.
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
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pedalphile posted 24 weeks ago.
I read that same article and it made a lot of sense to me. I tend to do light stretching post workout but
a fair amount if I'm stiff on my off or non active days. I remember years ago hearing Jack Lalane talk about stretching and he was of the opinion that it should be avoided. He said something kind of funny If I remember correctly... "you ever see a lion stop and do stretches before it kills a zebra... no you don't" He felt our bodies were meant to be explosive from a relaxed state. Can't argue with Jack.
What doesn't kill you defines you.
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TriAu posted 23 weeks ago.
There is a ton of new information out there about stretching. Here is Gatorades point of view...
http://www.gssiweb.com/Article_Detail.aspx?articleID=736
WAR EAGLE!
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Warrior posted 23 weeks ago.
I reckon stretching is great if you do it right. I can't believe some of you don't stretch at all. Perhaps you are just superfit, or don't realise how much acid you have in your legs?
I can't walk from the car to the office if I don't stretch regularly.
Dreams are the stars which charter the course of our lives. Happy the one who follows their dreams
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jonovision_man posted 23 weeks ago.
Sounds to me like a case of "different strokes for different folks".
I'm very not flexible, and I've had injuries that tie into that, especially with running... stretching (at the advice of physio folks) seems to have helped me overcome those problems.
If you're naturally adequately flexible you might not have that problem.
jono
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sasquatch posted 23 weeks ago.
+1 to Jono
I think the need to stretch may be based on your personal flexibility. If you are fairly flexible and trainng doesn't cuase you to tighten up, then no you probably don't need to stretch. If you're like me who is naturally inflexible and tighten up after every workout, then yes you should probably stretch. I do 15-30min of Yoga nearly every morning when i get up and usually 2-3 other times during the day. I've found if I don't do it for a week, then I start to notice ITBand achilles tightness, with some of the precurser signs of tendonitis. Even with the amount of stretching I do, I can barely touch my toes. :)
Alright, so I was at Barnes and Noble drinking coffee and reading magazines that I had no intention of buying. One of the magazines I was flipping through was a triathlon mag (the swimsuit edition one, I think Triathlete). I read an article about how stretching made you a less efficient runner and more prone to injury. It equated stretching muscles to rubber bands and the more you stretch them the less bounce they have, taking spring out of your step and slowing you down on runs. Like an overstretched rubber band the muscles also becomes loose around the joints which leads to decreased support and injury. If I recall correctly (I don't have the article in front of me because I didn't buy the magazine) the least flexible runners were the most efficient using less oxygen than the gumby runners
Typically I only stretch after runs and usually not even after every run. I do 20-30 sec static stretches (the bad kind according to the article) and use a foam roller on my ITB. This and very slow mileage buildup has kept me injury free so far this season.
There is so much info coming out about stretching it's hard to know what to believe. So, what is your stretch routine and how is working for you?
“If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character...Would you slow down? Or speed up?” ~Chuck Palahniuk~