Stretching

[MtR]

I've noticed that I've gotten less and less flexible as time goes on. Over the last 6-8 weeks I've been stretching about ten minutes a day and I can definitely tell a difference but I still feel "tight". I do get one hell of a pump by the time I'm done but I know that isn't necessarily an indicator I'm accomplishing anything positive.

What are some stretching techniques you guys use? I'm worried I'm going to end up tearing something if I lose too much flexibility. All feedback is appreciated.

 

[CowPimp]

When is it that you feel tight? If you feel tight during stretching, then you may not necessarily lack flexibility; pretty much anyone can put themselves in a position where they feel tight.

If you're only doing static stretching, you may also consider some soft tissue work and mobility exercises ("dynamic stretching") to help improve your mobility.

You want to attack this from three fronts. A lot of times you can improve your range of motion by altering tissue quality, which is what the foam rolling, or whatever soft tissue work you go for, can do for you. You can also improve the elasticity of the tissue. Static stretching is best for this type of improvement. However, you also must consider the nervous system, and that's where mobility work comes in. It doesn't matter what the tissue quality and elasticity is like if your nervous system maintains excess muscle tone, also known as hypertonicity. That is, at any given time, your muscle is contracted along a continuum. By improving mobility, you help reduce this unnecessary muscle tone which can leave you feeling tight even if the tissue itself support that range of motion.

 

[fyredup1286]

Cowpimp, u Da Man!!!

 

[MtR]

When is it that you feel tight? If you feel tight during stretching, then you may not necessarily lack flexibility; pretty much anyone can put themselves in a position where they feel tight.

If you're only doing static stretching, you may also consider some soft tissue work and mobility exercises ("dynamic stretching") to help improve your mobility.

You want to attack this from three fronts. A lot of times you can improve your range of motion by altering tissue quality, which is what the foam rolling, or whatever soft tissue work you go for, can do for you. You can also improve the elasticity of the tissue. Static stretching is best for this type of improvement. However, you also must consider the nervous system, and that's where mobility work comes in. It doesn't matter what the tissue quality and elasticity is like if your nervous system maintains excess muscle tone, also known as hypertonicity. That is, at any given time, your muscle is contracted along a continuum. By improving mobility, you help reduce this unnecessary muscle tone which can leave you feeling tight even if the tissue itself support that range of motion.

Thanks for the info, of course I feel tight after workouts and such but even then I'm always just "tight". I know it is a flexibility issue to a point but also understand that with the muscle I've packed on over the years I'm not goig to be as limber as I was. I'm more worried about staying flexible for injury prevention more than anything. I HATE massages, call it weird but I can never relax and if anything it makes me more tense lol.

 

[theCaptn']

damn I know I need to stretch more - got no patience for it.

 

[MtR]

damn I know I need to stretch more - got no patience for it.

I never have either, it's boring and I feel like Denise fucking Austin when I'm doing it. But I'd rather be Denise Austin than nursing a pec tear anyday.

 

[Bowden]

Mike,
Ever checked out any book on beginning yoga?

 

[MtR]

Mike,
Ever checked out any book on beginning yoga?

No, but I wouldn't be opposed to it. At this point I feel like if I don't do SOMETHING it's going to be one of those things I look back on and thinking why didn't I do more earlier.

In 2003 I was involved in a rigorous training program that to my surprise incorporated Pilates and I'll be damned if that stuff isn't hard as hell lol.

Yoga is a good piece of advice though, much appreciated and I will look into it.

 

[tucker01]

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/training/62165-stretching-flexability.html

 

[MtR]

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/training/62165-stretching-flexability.html

Awesome, bro. Much much appreciated as well. Good thing it's raining like a mofo here today, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to read it over the next 8 hours of my day lol.

 

[tailender1]

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/training/62165-stretching-flexability.html

Thanks man nice article.. repped