Thread: stretching between excerises

You don't have to stretch after every set, but definitely stretch the bodypart you trained when you are done. Get into a good stretch and hold it for 10-15 seconds, then repeat.

This is not only good for flexibility, but will also help with recovery in the muscle and even may stimulate further growth!

Couldn't have said it better myself GP

I also wouldn't do much stretching before working out, you need to warm up the muscle, not stretch it out.

Interesting note...some studies have found that stretching BEFORE training will WEAKEN the muscle for that workout...

wait, you guys are saying i shouldn't stretch before i workout?

never heard that before, on muscle and fitness they always say to stretch before you workout and arnold's book said that also...

i've been warmping up (bike) for 5 min, then i stretch every muscle (takes around 10 min)

then i cooldown at the end of my workout on the row for 5 min and restretch all my muscles for around 10 min.

No, we're saying DON'T stretch BEFORE your workout.

You need to warm up your muscles and joints by some light cardio or by some light reps.

Originally posted by pood
wait, you guys are saying i shouldn't stretch before i workout?

never heard that before, on muscle and fitness they always say to stretch before you workout and arnold's book said that also...

i've been warmping up (bike) for 5 min, then i stretch every muscle (takes around 10 min)

then i cooldown at the end of my workout on the row for 5 min and restretch all my muscles for around 10 min.

Personally I do not stretch any of my muscles before training (unless I have an injury in a muscle). I wait until after I finish training to stretch the worked muscles. I warmup first on a bike or treadmill to raise my core temp, and then I go through a series of warmups exercises with light weights...but no stretching.

However, if you enjoy stretching before you train and you feel it helps you get a better workout than keep doing it. I just don't feel it is necessary.

After you workout I would even suggest holding your stretches even longer than the traditional 10 seconds. My suggestion is if you like to stretch before...do some light cardio then dynamic range of motion stretching but ALWAYS finish (after lifting) with static stretches and hold closer to 20-30 seconds.

oh yeah, it usually takes me like 15 min to stretch, i hold them for a long time, heh

well, yesterday i tried lifiting without stretching when i started
i did a light warm up set and then did my real sets.

can't seem any difference, so i guess ill do this, saves me a good amount of time heh