IronMagazine Bodybuilding Forum


Go Back   IronMagazine Bodybuilding Forum > BodyBuilding & Fitness Forums > Training
Photo Gallery Register Members List Blogs Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Training Learn proper form, techniques, & routines. Post questions about weight training as it relates to muscle building.

Sponsored by: BigBackGrips.com


To stretch, or, not to stretch. That is MY question.


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-21-2005, 02:34 PM   #1
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

Question To stretch, or, not to stretch. That is MY question.

I know this is probably just "gym science" but Ive always been told stretching hinders muscular growth, any truth to that?



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 02:37 PM   #2
LAM
Gym ratt/Part-time pimp
 
LAM's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 7,384
Photos: 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait
I know this is probably just "gym science" but Ive always been told stretching hinders muscular growth, any truth to that?
where in the world did you hear that ? that has got to be the most erroneous information I have ever heard. stretching the muscle fascia increases the potential for hypertrophy



Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov

TBD

-----------------------------------------------------

What you talking about Willis ?
LAM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 02:45 PM   #3
Celebrity PersonalTrainer
 
musclepump's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,666
Photos: 128

Stretching rocks.



Let's all join together and SPEAK ENGLISH IN AMERICA.
musclepump is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 02:50 PM   #4
NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
Moderator
 
gopro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Posts: 10,523

Stretching before the muscles are warm can cause injury.

Stretching the muscle group you are training during a workout can hinder your strength (although stretching the antagonistic muscle can increase it).

Stretching the muscle you just finished training can theoretically increase hypertrophy.



Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines.

GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep

www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau!

Personal Training
Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching.
Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.
gopro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 03:06 PM   #5
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

OH!!! Okay then!!! I will definitely start stretching at the end of my w/o!

(I got GOPRO to post on my thread, *giggles*)


Sry, lol... Thanks, all!



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 04:48 PM   #6
Canine club CEO
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: baja calif, Mexico
Posts: 6,933
Photos: 1

Yes consider yourself lucky Lad. As his campaign Mgr (T.O.M) he's sure to be the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. All he needs now is a PT TAZ. Get your ass over here GOPRO the ink is ready!



Quote:
Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait
OH!!! Okay then!!! I will definitely start stretching at the end of my w/o!

(I got GOPRO to post on my thread, *giggles*)


Sry, lol... Thanks, all!
Tough Old Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 04:56 PM   #7
this pic is not real
 
BiggerNstronger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ks
Posts: 482

Quote:
Originally Posted by gopro
Stretching before the muscles are warm can cause injury.

Stretching the muscle group you are training during a workout can hinder your strength (although stretching the antagonistic muscle can increase it).

Stretching the muscle you just finished training can theoretically increase hypertrophy.
Ok...lets look at this. GP's first point is: stretching COULD cause injury...no thanks 2nd point: stretching COULD hinder your strength...no thanks. 3rd point: stretching can theoretically increase hypertrophy...THEORETICALLY??? Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching. GoPro, do YOU stretch???



Bigger and Stronger and Leaner and Meaner!
BiggerNstronger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:10 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 60
Photos: 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger
Ok...lets look at this. GP's first point is: stretching COULD cause injury...no thanks 2nd point: stretching COULD hinder your strength...no thanks. 3rd point: stretching can theoretically increase hypertrophy...THEORETICALLY??? Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching. GoPro, do YOU stretch???
good points but it would only cause injury if u didnt know what your doing but i tottally agree



Hi im 14 years old almost 15
5'10
165
3-4% Bodyfat
Max bench 1 rep 210
ill upload pics soon
nRVaNa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:12 PM   #9
LAM
Gym ratt/Part-time pimp
 
LAM's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 7,384
Photos: 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger
Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching.
then you can forget about maximizing the results of your training and diet. if you think that you can get massive and remain unflexable, you have much to learn



Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov

TBD

-----------------------------------------------------

What you talking about Willis ?
LAM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:44 PM   #10
this pic is not real
 
BiggerNstronger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ks
Posts: 482

Quote:
Originally Posted by LAM
then you can forget about maximizing the results of your training and diet. if you think that you can get massive and remain unflexable, you have much to learn
Lets see. Massive? check. Flexible? check. Next lesson?

Im being a smart-aleck to an extent but Im not looking to be able to do the splits or anything. I do some minor stretching for sure, NOT every single muscle group, NOT every single time I workout. Im not training for competition. I can still touch my toes and comb my hair so I must be doing something right.



Bigger and Stronger and Leaner and Meaner!
BiggerNstronger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:47 PM   #11
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by gopro
Stretching before the muscles are warm can cause injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gopro

Stretching the muscle group you are training during a workout can hinder your strength (although stretching the antagonistic muscle can increase it).

Stretching the muscle you just finished training can theoretically increase hypertrophy.
Ill say no more

Aside from, GOPRO ROCKS MY FACE!! AND P/RR/S IS CWAZY!!!!



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:52 PM   #12
Senior Member
Elite Member
 
ihateschoolmt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,796
Photos: 10

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger
Ok...lets look at this. GP's first point is: stretching COULD cause injury...no thanks 2nd point: stretching COULD hinder your strength...no thanks. 3rd point: stretching can theoretically increase hypertrophy...THEORETICALLY??? Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching. GoPro, do YOU stretch???
Stretching a COLD muscle can cause injury, stretching right before you preform an exercise that uses that muscle can decrease your strength, but only for a short time. Stretching after you work out, which eliminates the other problems, increases hypertrophy.



ihateschoolmt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 05:55 PM   #13
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

the underlines werent enough? Lol, im just kidding...



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2005, 09:11 PM   #14
Patrick
Super Moderator
 
P-funk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: AZ
Posts: 30,629

I stretch pretty intensely these days.



http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind!

Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness!

Looking for online training/coaching/consulting? --> Optimum Sports Performance

"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few."
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book
P-funk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2005, 12:14 AM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 115

Extreme stretching after you finish working out a muscle can help with growth especially in the quads.



For the highest quality supplements at the rock bottom lowest prices. You can also customize your own protein powder. Check it out. go to.........

trueprotein.com 5% discount code-CHK284
trueproteincanada.com 5% discount code-CHK284
chris2489 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2005, 12:25 AM   #16
Registered User
 
Lepa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 42
Photos: 2

So should you stretch directly after uve trained each muscle group, or will stretching after your complete workout have the same benefits?
Lepa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2005, 12:55 AM   #17
The Gazelle or The Lion?
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 266

Stretching is absolutely crucial both before, during and after workouts to prevent injury and to also get the maximum amount of blood to the muscles. Bodybuilders, ultimately, are after the best pump possible and sretching really opens up the muscles and lets the blood flow in.
Akkers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2005, 01:49 AM   #18
Fueled by Testosterone
Moderator
 
CowPimp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 15,428

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger
Ok...lets look at this. GP's first point is: stretching COULD cause injury...no thanks 2nd point: stretching COULD hinder your strength...no thanks. 3rd point: stretching can theoretically increase hypertrophy...THEORETICALLY??? Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching. GoPro, do YOU stretch???
Well, considering you deluted the information, it is hard to pull any kind of useful information from this comment. Read more carefully:

Stretching cold muscles could cause injury. Therefore, you should warmup. Which you should be doing anyway. As well, you could stretch solely after a workout.

Stretching the target muscle group during a workout could lead to slightly decreased strength. Just don't stretch during a workout.

Okay, the solution I come to is stretch after you workout. Injury is highly unlikely as a result. In fact, the added flexibility you gain as a result is more likely to prevent injuries than cause them (Go ahead and do some squats with stiff hips; I dare you). Furthermore, it will reduce DOMS and potentially allow for greater hypertrophy potential by stretching the muscle fascia.



The only time it's bad to feel the burn is when you're peeing...

CowPimp Picks Up Heavy Shit

MySpace

YouTube Videos
CowPimp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 01:10 PM   #19
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 154
Photos: 2

i read a study in sports medicine magizine that said if you stretch before exercise you lose 2-5% of your strength but if you continously stretch over a long period of time on your off days you actually increase your strength by 2-5%. Also, they remind everyone that there is NO EVIDENCE that stretching before durign or after exercise decreases injury. In fact they even cite some studies that show increased injury rates.
patricio223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 02:40 PM   #20
NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
Moderator
 
gopro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Posts: 10,523

Quote:
Originally Posted by BiggerNstronger
Ok...lets look at this. GP's first point is: stretching COULD cause injury...no thanks 2nd point: stretching COULD hinder your strength...no thanks. 3rd point: stretching can theoretically increase hypertrophy...THEORETICALLY??? Still not good enough to make me go out and start stretching. GoPro, do YOU stretch???
To answer your question...here is a complete answer for you...

Before training I DO NOT STRETCH, but I do warm-up extensively.

During a workout I stretch the ANTAGONISTIC muscle to the one I am working between sets. If I'm training quads I will stretch the hams, for example.

After I finish training a bodypart I IMMEDIATELY begin intense stretching of that muscle group while the pump is at its maximum.

I do this at EVERY workout without fail.



Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines.

GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep

www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau!

Personal Training
Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching.
Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.
gopro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 03:24 PM   #21
this pic is not real
 
BiggerNstronger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ks
Posts: 482

Quote:
Originally Posted by gopro
To answer your question...here is a complete answer for you...

Before training I DO NOT STRETCH, but I do warm-up extensively.

During a workout I stretch the ANTAGONISTIC muscle to the one I am working between sets. If I'm training quads I will stretch the hams, for example.

After I finish training a bodypart I IMMEDIATELY begin intense stretching of that muscle group while the pump is at its maximum.

I do this at EVERY workout without fail.

Thanks.



Bigger and Stronger and Leaner and Meaner!
BiggerNstronger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 03:39 PM   #22
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

Man, GoPro posted TWICE at my thread!!!



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 03:53 PM   #23
NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder
Moderator
 
gopro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Posts: 10,523

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait
Man, GoPro posted TWICE at my thread!!!
You are funny



Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines.

GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep

www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau!

Personal Training
Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching.
Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.
gopro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 04:14 PM   #24
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

*swoon* THREE??? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS??

Lol, you rock.

Power to people named Eric! (im an Eric too... lol...... ... ...)

Okay, maybe im a sad, sad little man.



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 04:33 PM   #25
Senior Fucknut
 
largepkg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: S FLA
Posts: 3,140
Photos: 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait
*swoon* THREE??? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS??

Lol, you rock.

Power to people named Eric! (im an Eric too... lol...... ... ...)

Okay, maybe im a sad, sad little man.

Well I'm an Erik too! I'm a Largepkg though.

Unfortunately I can't be in the club because my mom spelled my name with a "k"!
largepkg is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 05:45 PM   #26
lifts weights
Elite Member
 
FishOrCutBait's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Buffalo, MN
Posts: 4,296
Blog Entries: 1
Photos: 2

HA!!! YOU ARENT COOL LIKE US!!!! lol



I believe in Jesus.

Eat to live.

"
tried and true theory on one's self is probably the only non-biased proof that something works for someone." - juggernaut
FishOrCutBait is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2005, 05:56 PM   #27
Senior Member
Elite Member
 
min0 lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The Bronx, NYC
Posts: 33,802
Blog Entries: 3
Photos: 542