I learned from a PT that it is best to stretch both before and after an exercise routine. Stretching before a workout warms up your muscles, while stretching after reduces muscle soreness. Doing so also helps prevent the risk of injury.
I think it depends on the exercise. When I run I don’t stretch. When I go to the gym I do. And I always stretch after, not before.
I don’t stretch but I do yoga which is a stretching in itself. So if you want to stretch then do before exercise or as soon as you wake . This two ways are best because stretching help your body to regulate blood more fastly.
It depends on the type of exercise. If you are doing cardio, you should do dynamic stretches (stretches that involve movement) beforehand to warm up. If you are doing weightlifting or resistance exercises, you should perform static (stationary) stretches afterwards.
Yes, you’re. Stretching helps your muscles stay elastic and function better in the long term. Also stretching helps to remove the milk acid from your muscles, which means they won’t ache as much or at all, if you have a steady non-overbearing routine. You would want to warm-up before the exercise, and stretch after the exercise. When you stretch, you usually hold some static poses to relax your muscles. After this the muscle won’t be able to join in the exercise fully for at least 40 mins, which kills all the profit of exercising. Contrarily, when you do some small dynamic exercises in the beginning, you prepare the muscles for the major workout, and that enhances productivity.
Yes, before and after: especially as you get older, doing a warm up and recovery session around your training is important for preventing injury and optimizing performance.
I always do like 2-3 minutes of a warm up—jumping jacks, jogging in place, etc. to get my muscles warm, then 5-10 minutes of stretching before a workout. If you stretch your muscles without a small warm up, they are less flexible—kinda like taffy. If you stretch cold taffy, it’s more likely to tear than stretch. :)
Yes, you are supposed to stretch every time you do exercise to make sure your muscles don’t get sore or stiff. It is a good i sea to astretch s part of your warm up and cool down. A good warm up is a heart raiser, dynamic stretches and static stretches. A heart roaster would be running or stay jumps. A dumanim stretch would be walking lunges or sumo squats. The static stretches should focus on the musclea that you will be using but also all of them to losen up and reduce the risk of injury. Stretching before will also increase performance as you have warmed and prepared your muscles. A cool down should be sotmething to gradually reduce your heart rate. For example walking or side stepping. Then stretching after this.
Stretching is very beneficial, whether before or after workouts. I try to stretch every day even if it’s the only exercise I do that day. Having said that, It’s best not to stretch “cold” muscles. Stretching after you exercise when your muscles are already warm is great. When I stretch on non-running days, I walk around, swing my arms, etc. For a few minutes first to warm up my muscles first.
I have played sports and exercised for decades and I have helped coach many different sports. Stretching is important but should not be done when your muscles are “cold”. Warm up a little by going for a light jog - about 1/4 mile - or enough exercise, like jumping jacks, to warm up the muscles. “Warm” stretching also works well. These can be stretches like High Knees, Lunges, Ladder stretches, etc. Look online for recommendations for a variety of stretches depending on the type of exercise you’re going to do.
Answers reflect the personal experiences of Fabulous community members. They are not medical or professional advice — for guidance about your health, talk to a qualified professional.
