Question About Stretching?

[bad14u]

How important is stretching a muscle after working it out? I have a friend, and he is has some good size to him, but he swears by stretching each muscle. He will do a set of whatever and then stretch that muscle. I don't see a lot of people at the gym doing it! I guess I am just wondering if there are pros and cons about this!

[Stonecold54]

Re: Question About Stretching?

Originally posted by bad14u
How important is stretching a muscle after working it out? I have a friend, and he is has some good size to him, but he swears by stretching each muscle. He will do a set of whatever and then stretch that muscle. I don't see a lot of people at the gym doing it! I guess I am just wondering if there are pros and cons about this!

It can't hurt too much. Just remember that if you stretch it is a form of tension on your muscle so it will not recover as much in between sets. so it is almost a continuation of the set at a lower intensity.

[bad14u]

Re: Re: Question About Stretching?

Originally posted by stonecold54
It can't hurt too much. Just remember that if you stretch it is a form of tension on your muscle so it will not recover as much in between sets. so it is almost a continuation of the set at a lower intensity.

:cool: Ok...Thanks SC54!

[Irishgirl]

I always feel better when I stretch, definately need to work on flexibility. Check out this link

http://www.cmcrossroads.com/bradapp/...ec/stretching/

[bad14u]

Originally posted by Irishgirl
I always feel better when I stretch, definately need to work on flexibility. Check out this link

:agree: Geat link IG...Thanks!!!

[BOHICA]

I only really stretch my legs, after a workout. Just because I know that I won't be able to walk to next 3 days if I dont!! lol

[Gary]

What I learned in college gymnastics which I have carried over to weightlifting - warm up the muscles with bike or treadmill work, then stretch, do the workout, then finish up the session with more stretching.

My stretching routine takes about 10 minutes. I start at the top with the neck, then shoulders, arms, lower back, sides and then move down to quads, hamstrings and ankles.

Almost all people should use static stretching although I use some dynamic stretches because I am lucky enough to really be flexible.

I wouldn't stretch after every set unless there is a stiff muscle that is bothering you.

[meat12]

It will also help prevent injury too, couldn't hurt..

[JuicedBeachBum]

Originally posted by Gary
What I learned in college gymnastics which I have carried over to weightlifting - warm up the muscles with bike or treadmill work, then stretch, do the workout, then finish up the session with more stretching.

My stretching routine takes about 10 minutes. I start at the top with the neck, then shoulders, arms, lower back, sides and then move down to quads, hamstrings and ankles.

Almost all people should use static stretching although I use some dynamic stretches because I am lucky enough to really be flexible.

I wouldn't stretch after every set unless there is a stiff muscle that is bothering you.

I totally disagree. If you stretch before you workout you're only weakening yourself. Warming up on the bike or treadmill is just using your glycogen prematurly, and you won't be able to workout as hard.

If you want to warm up, do a twenty rep set to get blood into the muscle.

Stretching afterwards will help really get blood moving into the muscle, and can give a little more fulness to the muscle. Stretching in the begining is just wearing you out.

As far as dynamic stretching- don't do it unless you know how. Unless someone showed you, you could hurt yourself. This is not something you want to try and figure out.

[Scrumhalf]

Well, stretching also warms up support muscles that may not be directly worked out by a warmup set. For example, I spend about 10 minutes stretching my rotator cuff muscles so that I have a lesser chance of injury especally during chest and shoulder workouts.

[lordikon]

Re: Question About Stretching?

Originally posted by bad14u
How important is stretching a muscle after working it out? I have a friend, and he is has some good size to him, but he swears by stretching each muscle. He will do a set of whatever and then stretch that muscle. I don't see a lot of people at the gym doing it! I guess I am just wondering if there are pros and cons about this!

I do 4 sets for most muscles, the first set is a realllly light weight to get blood flowing to the muscle, then I stretch it. Then I stretch each muscle after I'm done with the rest of my sets, I think it keeps them from tensing up, especially after leg ext. and horz. calves. And it's supposed to increase blood flow to them.