STRETCHING....A LESSON I KEEP LEARNING AGAIN AND AGAIN.....

[JETHRO TULL]

DURING THE PAST YEAR I'V LET MY STRETCHING PROGRAM BECOME PRETTY MUCH NON-EXISTENT ONCE AGAIN. I HAD BEEN GETTING SUPER SORE FOR LONGER THAN NORMAL ESPECIALLY ON LEGS AND CHEST.....CREEPING AROUND AND ALL...WELL I STARTED STRETCHING [AFTER A WARMUP ON THE BIKE OR WHATEVER] BEFORE AND AFTER TRAINING AND I FEEL SOOOOO MUCH BETTER NOW. I CAN MOVE AGAIN AND I FEEL MOBILE, NOT NEARLY AS SORE AND NO ONE HAS TO HELP ME OUT OF THE CHAIR! HAHAHA...IF ANY OF YOU GUYS OUT THERE ARE IN THE SAME CONDITION...I'D RECOMMEND GETTING BACK INTO THE STRETCHING.

 

[xcelbeyond]

Just an "add on" to what you've stated. I also believe it is an important element for increasing muscle size. I didn't really develop any lats (not the mod ) until I started stretching. Since I started stretching biceps, I've made tremendous gains there (of course the Nolotil and SEO doesn't hurt!).

xcel

 

[MikeS]

Good basic advice Jethro!
I always stretch before lifting. But between sets I kinda do stuff
(like arm circles/bending to touch toes) that keep the parts of my body I may be using limber. For example if Im doing heavy rows or curls or squats, I'll do some side twists and some toe touches.
If Im doing chest of shoulders-I'll do some arm circles and other dumb looking ways of waving my arms around. I think this stuff goes a long ways in preventing injuries. Nothing will ever eliminate injuries, but it helps!

 

[stevehnsn]

Excellent post!! Pay attention people! Stretching before, during and after exercise enhances injury prevention, strength & size gains, flexibility, recovery, and it decreases DOMS. Just remember not to stretch too hard until you've warmed up the muscle some, or you could tear things. Not good.

 

[Armageddon]

I agree with the stretch before and after, but I've read a few articles about stretching during activity as being unproductive. They say it might not give the muscle enough time to adapt to the exercise. I'm going to look for it and see if I can't find it.

 

[bigtito]

i have to disagree

stretching the agonist muscles.. (ones you are using) prior to exercising them makes you weaker temporarily.

neurologically a stretched muscle is weak. save your stretching for after and you will have better performance.