Thoughts on the importance of stretching

[justinspicher]

I’ve never been a fan of stretching and therefore I don’t do it. I focus more on mobility rather than just stretching. As I have gotten older my mobility has become more important to me, maintaining my strength has been a focus as well.

 

[antaresproper]

Mobility and strengthening through the entire range of motion and in disadvantaged positions. Flexibility and stability are also important, especially as you age.

I spend 20 minutes 2-3x a week purely on increasing flexibility and stability through static stretching and yoga, most other mobility is rolled in with my strength work.

I had a fall/slide when sidehilling deer hunting last year. Part of the hill gave way, foot got caught in a manzanita and got wrenched above my knee. I credit the flexibility and disadvantaged position work for allowing me to walk out.

 

[LoH]

From an athletic performance perspective flexibility is need based.
Tae Kwon Do competitors, Gymnasts and Ballerinas have a greater need for flexibility than endurance athletes.
Absolute strength is more important than flexibility.
Stretching doesn't reduce injury risk.
If you enjoy stretching do it
If you don't I wouldn't put the time into it.

A basic mobility routine has a lot to offer.
Good Journey!

Can you elaborate on what you are referring to with a mobility routine?

 

[sstank]

I'm sure most of us weren't easy on our body's when younger. As I age and arthritis along with degenerative changes set in, stretching has become the normal. This has allowed me to continue doing the things I enjoy.

 

[MNbucknutz]

I’ve never been a fan of stretching and therefore I don’t do it. I focus more on mobility rather than just stretching. As I have gotten older my mobility has become more important to me, maintaining my strength has been a focus as well.

I feel like a lake of mobility is what eventually leads to inquiry

 

[justinspicher]

So far I haven’t been injured much in my life. Right now I am trying to keep that from happening.

 

[ChrisA]

Stretching is somewhat ingrained in me because it took place before every single practice or game in organized sports since junior high school. 31 years later and I still do the same stretching routine that started nearly every single day in Army basic training and AIT.

Less mobility and more pain is involved when stretching if I slack off for a week or more. It might be a waste of time but I'll keep doing it.

 

[BBob]

Can you elaborate on what you are referring to with a mobility routine?

DeFranco Agile 8

by Joe DeFranco A simple warm-up routine that’s helped powerlifters, meatheads, and other anti-mobility dudes feel better and progress faster in their workouts with fewer injuries. Check it out. The Agile 8 is a simple warm-up routine I’ve been using successfully for years. It’s...

t-nation.com

I personally quit stretching a long time ago. Mobility routine, massage ball and foam rollers keep me going. Mobility as a pre exercise warm up with massage ball and foam rollers used both before and after and on rest days.

 

[NEPkaspot]

Could not be more important. You will never regret starting and consistently sticking with a flexibility training program.

 

[dh.hamilton1]

Personally I’ve always hated stretching. In my on and off again journey with fitness over the last 14 years, thinking back I’ve been the sorest when I didn’t stretch before or after a workout.

In my current fitness commitment, I’ve been warming up, dynamic stretching before my workout and static stretching afterwards and I’m less sore.

My workouts aren’t as strenuous but even before when I didn’t stretch and did legs no matter how easy or hard, I’d be hobbling around.


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[Coach Chris]

Can you elaborate on what you are referring to with a mobility routine?

Mobility is using strength to move muscles through their ranges of motion.
Stretching is deliberately lengthening muscle

BBob posted Joe DeFranco's Agile 8 above.
This is an excellent mobility routine, especially before a workout.

I had the privilege of attending a mobility workshop with Steve Maxwell about 10yrs ago
In my professional opinion his Mobility for Life program is about as comprehensive as you would need

https://www.maxwellsc.online/offers/2hF9fnJs/checkout

 

[LoH]

Mobility is using strength to move muscles through their ranges of motion.
Stretching is deliberately lengthening muscle

BBob posted Joe DeFranco's Agile 8 above.
This is an excellent mobility routine, especially before a workout.

I had the privilege of attending a mobility workshop with Steve Maxwell about 10yrs ago
In my professional opinion his Mobility for Life program is about as comprehensive as you would need

https://www.maxwellsc.online/offers/2hF9fnJs/checkout

Thanks @Coach Chris and @BBob. I’m’a look into these.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

I will do stretches each evening back at camp after putting on a lot of miles, by a lot I mean 3 to 10+ miles in the mtns. I personally have not noticed any benefits to stretching before hiking. Do you ever see a Cheetah stretch before he takes down a gazelle?..... nope.

 

[JohnB]

Do you ever see a Cheetah stretch before he takes down a gazelle?..... nope.

Keep in mind you also never see a cheetah brush its teeth after licking its balls.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Big fan of yoga here!

 

[5MilesBack]

I've always been very limber. I played multiple sports most of the first half of my life. The only time I ever got injuries was after I stretched before competing. So I stopped the stretching a LONG time ago. Haven't had any issues with that since. But my muscles are already long and lean to start with, so perhaps that has something to do with it.

 

[Anubis]

On a personal level, I love not feeling any stiffness in my daily life thanks to my flexibility. I see people struggling to bend down to pick something up or reach something, or suffering with back pains, and I'm just glad my flexibility training ensures I don't really suffer with those ailments and feel comfortable moving any way I need on everyday life.

 

[Coach Chris]

Thanks @Coach Chris and @BBob. I’m’a look into these.

You're welcome!
Good Journey!