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When Do You Stretch?

Mon, 05/12/2008 - 4:00am by FitSugar
548 Views - 27 comments

It's pretty commonly known that it's best not to stretch a cold muscle before you warm up. However, more than half of the folks I see at the gym stretch before they work out. This made me wonder about you guys and your stretching habits. I am curious to know . . .

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  • secretallstar's picture
    secretallstar
    1

    I stretch before and after a workout -- just some light stuff before to get my muscles moving (like ankle rolls so I don't hurt myself on the treadmill). Then I do the real stuff afterwards.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • thisgirlzakillah's picture
    thisgirlzakillah
    2

    i always forget to stretch. and when i DO remember...i dont even know if what im doing is helping anything.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • Running Bunny's picture
    Running Bunny
    3

    I stretch during and after - I have really tight calves (from not stretching before) so I stretch during a run, whenever I want a short break, and then I am good to go again!

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • ella1978's picture
    ella1978
    4

    I stretch after.
    I actually find that my workout is more effective and I sustain less injury when I DON'T strech before my workout. To me, the stretch at the end is the best part of the whole thing!

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • bigestivediscuit's picture
    bigestivediscuit
    5

    I always thought you were supposed to stretch before and after your workout (during if neccessary). My bf insists on not stretching before, so I guess he's right!

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • Renees3's picture
    Renees3
    6

    I don't like stretching before, so I always do it after. I love the feeling of stretching after running, it just feels goooooood.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • anna_muffin's picture
    anna_muffin
    7

    My favorite exercise is dancing, so I usually stretch before (and during) it. When I do some outdoor sport, I do it like secretallstar...some light stuff before and serious stuff after.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • heyjen19's picture
    heyjen19
    9

    I've always been taught to stretch before and after workouts; I'm usually pretty good about doing both, sometimes I rush the stretching though when I just want to be finished Shocked

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • krazykarot's picture
    krazykarot
    11

    I usually stretch before and after I do any cardio at the gym, but I'm not always stretching cold muscle (although I do sometimes). My gym is about a ten minute walk from my house, or a short bike ride.

    I just feel more loose and comfortable during more intense cardio if I stretch before hand.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • Geisha Runner's picture
    Geisha Runner
    13

    I do before and after. I've got some old injuries I always need to keep an eye on to ensure I have a good workout. Doing some very light stretching before a workout lets me guage how hard of a workout I can do. And I strech out after my workouts ... for obvious reasons. Lol.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • rlindz's picture
    rlindz
    14

    I stretch before and after excercise. I also stretch every night before I got to bed. It helps relax me and makes falling asleep faster.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • ROSITALUVSWILL's picture
    ROSITALUVSWILL
    15

    I stretch a little bit before I run otherwise I feel super stiff! Then I stretch majorly after I'm done.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • CiaoBella's picture
    CiaoBella
    16

    Always after.

    At a recent seminar I was told that there isn't any need to stretch after a run. One's muscles are already stretched and that any additional stretching might tear muscle fibers.

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • facin8me's picture
    facin8me
    19

    I stretch before and after. I usually walk a few laps, do some light stretching, run, and then stretch again after I finish my run. I always end up getting sore if I don't do some light stretching beforehand...

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • mng355's picture
    mng355
    21

    I stretch before and after and occasionally randomly throughout the day

    21 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • msadams224's picture
    msadams224
    23

    I usually warm up first, stretch, then do the rest of my workout. If it's a cardio day, I'll run for 5 minutes, stretch then do whatever else I'm going to do. Strength training days I warm up for 10 on the rowing machine (it helps warm up all of the back and arm muscles) then stretch then lift.

    21 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • fashionista119's picture
    fashionista119
    25

    Other - I do a light warmup for about 5 minutes to get my muscles warm, stretch, do my workout, and then stretch again at the end.

    21 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • sailing chick's picture
    sailing chick
    26

    it depends on what exercises I'm doing - I've been told that stretching straight after working out pulls knots in your muscle tight and that you should stretch a few hours after your work out

    21 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • aliceknitting's picture
    aliceknitting
    27

    i stretch before and after...and if i feel that something is tight or not quite right, then i stop and stretch it during the exercise...my motto is better safe than sorry

    21 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment

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