 To Stretch or Not to Stretch?
Posted by
Julie M.
For a long time, stretching has been considered a mandatory part of any warm up. Many runners, bikers, and aerobics junkies stretch before they start out, and stretching is built into most exercise classes. But recent studies indicate that there is no solid scientific evidence that stretching just before exercise has any benefits. But experts say that the most valuable warm up you can do before working out is aerobic activity, such as light jogging, biking, swimming a few laps, jumping jacks, etc. Unless the workout you are planning involves a high level of flexibility, such as yoga, diving, or dance, in which case stretching should be part of your initial warm up, it makes more sense to stretch after a period of aerobic exercise when your muscles are already warm. I've noticed in virtually all of the outdoor and gym workout classes I take, that marching in place, a short run, or some kind of other activity that gets my heart rate up happens first, followed by some light stretching, then the rest of the class. Serious, down-on-the-floor stretching happens at the end, and truthfully, that's when it feels the best! Always remember not to bounce when you stretch; ideally you should hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds and repeat at least twice for each muscle group
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Posted by Julie M.
For a long time, stretching has been considered a mandatory part of any warm up. Many runners, bikers, and aerobics junkies stretch before they start out, and stretching is built into most exercise classes. But recent studies indicate that there is no solid scientific evidence that stretching just before exercise has any benefits. But experts say that the most valuable warm up you can do before working out is aerobic activity, such as light jogging, biking, swimming a few laps, jumping jacks, etc. Unless the workout you are planning involves a high level of flexibility, such as yoga, diving, or dance, in which case stretching should be part of your initial warm up, it makes more sense to stretch after a period of aerobic exercise when your muscles are already warm. I've noticed in virtually all of the outdoor and gym workout classes I take, that marching in place, a short run, or some kind of other activity that gets my heart rate up happens first, followed by some light stretching, then the rest of the class. Serious, down-on-the-floor stretching happens at the end, and truthfully, that's when it feels the best! Always remember not to bounce when you stretch; ideally you should hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds and repeat at least twice for each muscle group