Comments on: Hate to Stretch? Don't Have Time to Stretch? I Have Good News! http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/ Fitness Tips To Get Lean and Toned, Not Bulky! Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:47:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: JoetheCab http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-466610 JoetheCab Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:13:06 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-466610 Who care's about the stretching! I've just found Solid Gold, it's the best! We had Pans People over here in the UK. But I don't think they could compete with the US as usual. Solid Gold Baby! Who care's about the stretching!

I've just found Solid Gold, it's the best!

We had Pans People over here in the UK. But I don't think they could compete with the US as usual.

Solid Gold Baby!

]]> By: oolala53 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-465454 oolala53 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:25:43 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-465454 I'm surprised that you keep talking about stretching as a warm up. I have not heard anyone recommend that for years. However, after the muscles are warm, stretching just makes them feel better afterwards. I don't know about the injury issue or if the studies examined stretching after the period of intensity. I just know that my body feels much better if I end with a stretch of the areas I worked. I'm surprised that you keep talking about stretching as a warm up. I have not heard anyone recommend that for years. However, after the muscles are warm, stretching just makes them feel better afterwards. I don't know about the injury issue or if the studies examined stretching after the period of intensity. I just know that my body feels much better if I end with a stretch of the areas I worked.

]]> By: Jeff - Get This Ripped http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-462919 Jeff - Get This Ripped Tue, 30 Nov 2010 03:30:48 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-462919 There is was another study done by the University of Hawaii-Manoa. They did a study with 1543 people who ran in the Honolulu Marathon. This study linked pre-workout stretching with a higher risk of injury. In this study, the runners that stretched prior to running had a 33% higher risk of injury compared to the runners that didn’t stretch. Stretching after a workout has shown to help your muscles recover faster. There is was another study done by the University of Hawaii-Manoa. They did a study with 1543 people who ran in the Honolulu Marathon. This study linked pre-workout stretching with a higher risk of injury. In this study, the runners that stretched prior to running had a 33% higher risk of injury compared to the runners that didn’t stretch.

Stretching after a workout has shown to help your muscles recover faster.

]]> By: Mike(Team N.R.G) http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-462006 Mike(Team N.R.G) Fri, 26 Nov 2010 23:08:53 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-462006 Stretching and flexibility is very important, and always forgotten by many people training. Personally my workouts and bootcamps i teach, start with 5 mins gentle static stretching, then 5 - 10mins of mobility exercises to get ready for hard exercising before moving onto core training. When teaching martial arts use same approach but maybe longer with the mobility exercises befores major kicking moves, always finish workouts with 10-15mins developmental stretching as the muscles are more productive in developing flexibility at this point. Stretching and flexibility is very important, and always forgotten by many people training.
Personally my workouts and bootcamps i teach, start with 5 mins gentle static stretching, then 5 – 10mins of mobility exercises to get ready for hard exercising before moving onto core training.
When teaching martial arts use same approach but maybe longer with the mobility exercises befores major kicking moves, always finish workouts with 10-15mins developmental stretching as the muscles are more productive in developing flexibility at this point.

]]> By: Tom - Your Fitness Quest http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-457921 Tom - Your Fitness Quest Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:40:41 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-457921 Rusty, Your comments about fitness testing in school remind me that the only thing worse than stretching was the pull up test. None of the tall skinny guys in grade school like myself could do them but the short guys just cranked them out. I have horrible flexibility, but I like to stretch as a relaxation technique, not to improve performance. For me it creates better body awareness, kind of like yoga or meditating. I've seen the studies that show diminished strength if you stretch before exercise, so I'm still surprised when I see so many college and professional athletes stretching prior to their event. Rusty, Your comments about fitness testing in school remind me that the only thing worse than stretching was the pull up test. None of the tall skinny guys in grade school like myself could do them but the short guys just cranked them out.

I have horrible flexibility, but I like to stretch as a relaxation technique, not to improve performance. For me it creates better body awareness, kind of like yoga or meditating. I've seen the studies that show diminished strength if you stretch before exercise, so I'm still surprised when I see so many college and professional athletes stretching prior to their event.

]]> By: Ed http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-387008 Ed Fri, 28 May 2010 22:32:00 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-387008 Rusty you may be on to something, I stretch/warm-up before training and usually run out of gas near the end of my workouts. I think I will stick to a light warm up without the stretching and see how I perform. Rusty you may be on to something, I stretch/warm-up before training and usually run out of gas near the end of my workouts.

I think I will stick to a light warm up without the stretching and see how I perform.

]]> By: Dave http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-386751 Dave Fri, 28 May 2010 15:33:37 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-386751 Hey Rusty.. I'm a big fan of HIIT, and like to sprint, about 2 weeks ago i started running but couldn't keep it up for more than a week(alternate days) cause my hamstrings were sore as hell, i know i didn't pull a muscle but they still hurt, I'm wondering if i should or shouldn't be stretching before my workout...hate stretching, such a waste of time, but will it prevent injury??? Hey Rusty..
I'm a big fan of HIIT, and like to sprint, about 2 weeks ago i started running but couldn't keep it up for more than a week(alternate days) cause my hamstrings were sore as hell, i know i didn't pull a muscle but they still hurt, I'm wondering if i should or shouldn't be stretching before my workout…hate stretching, such a waste of time, but will it prevent injury???

]]> By: Sandra http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-380432 Sandra Sat, 22 May 2010 10:00:54 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-380432 Wow, I knew it!!!! And all this time... You are amazingly insightful and relative. Wow, I knew it!!!! And all this time… You are amazingly insightful and relative.

]]> By: Dai http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-349923 Dai Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:39:36 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-349923 This is one of the most power full reasons I've seen for stretching is staying flexible when getting older. Check out the link to Dick Hartzell 69 Stretching with FlexBand. I've recently started doing some stretching with flex bands after my workouts and all I can say it is working for me. http://www.flexbandonline.com/dick-hartzell-69-stretching-with-flexband.htm This is one of the most power full reasons I've seen for stretching is staying flexible when getting older. Check out the link to Dick Hartzell 69 Stretching with FlexBand. I've recently started doing some stretching with flex bands after my workouts and all I can say it is working for me.

http://www.flexbandonline.com/dick-hartzell-69-stretching-with-flexband.htm

]]> By: Tim http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-345658 Tim Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:59:20 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-345658 Depends. I do pilates (in addition to kettles, and 50km of cycling a day) and I have never felt better. Looser muscle fibres and the pilates regime has balanced me up. If you have some biomechanical or physiological imbalances, stretching certainly can help (as well as weights to balance the imbalance). I also reckons having flexible muscles helps older people. Depends.

I do pilates (in addition to kettles, and 50km of cycling a day) and I have never felt better. Looser muscle fibres and the pilates regime has balanced me up.

If you have some biomechanical or physiological imbalances, stretching certainly can help (as well as weights to balance the imbalance).

I also reckons having flexible muscles helps older people.

]]> By: Hiram http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-343167 Hiram Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:39:15 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-343167 Hey Rusty. I think a lot of people use the term "stretch" and "warm up" interchangeably. You should always warm up before exercising, especially if you plan to put a big load on your muscles, although that doesn't necessarily mean stretching. In fact, stretching before a hard routine can actually increase your chances of injury. A good warm-up is usually a couple of light reps of whatever you were planning to do anyways. For example, if you're going to lift weights and work on biceps, a good warm-up is to simply go through the exact range of motion with very light weights. Once you've done this a couple of times, then you can load up. The only way to clear things up is not to mix or misuse the terms. Unfortunately, you even hear a lot of fitness "guru's" using the terms incorrectly.... Hiram Hey Rusty. I think a lot of people use the term "stretch" and "warm up" interchangeably. You should always warm up before exercising, especially if you plan to put a big load on your muscles, although that doesn't necessarily mean stretching. In fact, stretching before a hard routine can actually increase your chances of injury.

A good warm-up is usually a couple of light reps of whatever you were planning to do anyways. For example, if you're going to lift weights and work on biceps, a good warm-up is to simply go through the exact range of motion with very light weights. Once you've done this a couple of times, then you can load up.

The only way to clear things up is not to mix or misuse the terms. Unfortunately, you even hear a lot of fitness "guru's" using the terms incorrectly….

Hiram

]]> By: Anna @ pathtofatloss http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-2/#comment-293650 Anna @ pathtofatloss Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:07:33 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-293650 Hi Rusty, I never stretch before a workout although I do focus a lot on foam rolling and active stretching (from Relax into Stretch by Pavel) after my workouts or on my off days. I do the active stretching with my bootcampers a lot and they love it. I'm not a big fan of passive stretching because I never saw any benefits from it even when I did it regularly. My suggestion for people who are reading this post and comments is to stick to foam rolling. You will be in much better shape if you do so. Hi Rusty, I never stretch before a workout although I do focus a lot on foam rolling and active stretching (from Relax into Stretch by Pavel) after my workouts or on my off days. I do the active stretching with my bootcampers a lot and they love it. I'm not a big fan of passive stretching because I never saw any benefits from it even when I did it regularly.

My suggestion for people who are reading this post and comments is to stick to foam rolling. You will be in much better shape if you do so.

]]> By: Hiram http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-291411 Hiram Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:42:30 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-291411 You're correct - stretching can actually weaken muscles and can lead to injury if you're getting ready to use your muscles "explosively," like lifting weights or sprinting. However, note that "stretching" is not the same as "warming up" although many people use the two terms interchangeably. Many people also use stretching as part of their warm-up, which may or may not be appropriate depending on what you're warming up for. The best warm-up is to lightly perform the general actions of the exercise you plan to do. If it's a run, then lightly run in place for a minute or two to warm up. If it's weight lifting, then do some arm and/or trunk rotations to get the muscles limbered up and the blood flowing. Most experts will tell you to leave any kind of intense stretching for AFTER your exercise, not before. At that point, your muscles are already warm so the stretching will be much more effective. Great article, Rusty. Thanks for bringing attention to this important (and often misunderstood) topic. Hiram The Balanced Health Guy Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (NESTA) You're correct – stretching can actually weaken muscles and can lead to injury if you're getting ready to use your muscles "explosively," like lifting weights or sprinting.

However, note that "stretching" is not the same as "warming up" although many people use the two terms interchangeably. Many people also use stretching as part of their warm-up, which may or may not be appropriate depending on what you're warming up for.

The best warm-up is to lightly perform the general actions of the exercise you plan to do. If it's a run, then lightly run in place for a minute or two to warm up. If it's weight lifting, then do some arm and/or trunk rotations to get the muscles limbered up and the blood flowing.

Most experts will tell you to leave any kind of intense stretching for AFTER your exercise, not before. At that point, your muscles are already warm so the stretching will be much more effective.

Great article, Rusty. Thanks for bringing attention to this important (and often misunderstood) topic.

Hiram
The Balanced Health Guy
Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (NESTA)

]]> By: Travelroller.com http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-252411 Travelroller.com Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:54:59 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-252411 me too love yoga, by the way thank you for this great article me too love yoga, by the way thank you for this great article

]]> By: still skinny fat http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-207038 still skinny fat Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:34:19 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-207038 Not only do I hate stretching, it seemed to irritate my joints. I would stretch after some of my weight workouts. Static stretch for about 30 seconds, 3 times for each muscle group, 2-3 times a week. I had been plagued by shoulder pain that always seemed to reappear once I hit a certain weight in the bench press. I stopped stretching my shoulder to see what would happen; no pain since! Same deal with squats. When squatting regularly (not even full squats) my knees used to bother me in the morning and would go out when I walked up stairs. Stopped stretching my hamstrings and quads; no pain since! By the way, I always do a general warmup (bike, elliptical, treadmill, etc) and one or two warmup sets with light weight before my work sets. This was all before I read this article, but I'm glad to see someone else thinks stretching isn't so great. It's sad that so many armchair trainers regurgitate the outdated recommendations on stretching…and many other topics :( Not only do I hate stretching, it seemed to irritate my joints. I would stretch after some of my weight workouts. Static stretch for about 30 seconds, 3 times for each muscle group, 2-3 times a week. I had been plagued by shoulder pain that always seemed to reappear once I hit a certain weight in the bench press. I stopped stretching my shoulder to see what would happen; no pain since!

Same deal with squats. When squatting regularly (not even full squats) my knees used to bother me in the morning and would go out when I walked up stairs. Stopped stretching my hamstrings and quads; no pain since!

By the way, I always do a general warmup (bike, elliptical, treadmill, etc) and one or two warmup sets with light weight before my work sets.

This was all before I read this article, but I'm glad to see someone else thinks stretching isn't so great. It's sad that so many armchair trainers regurgitate the outdated recommendations on stretching…and many other topics :(

]]> By: pilates class http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-195903 pilates class Wed, 06 May 2009 13:59:08 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-195903 <strong>pilates class...</strong> Really love yoga myself!... pilates class…

Really love yoga myself!…

]]> By: Glenn a.k.a. sexybeast http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-134325 Glenn a.k.a. sexybeast Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:11:11 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-134325 Hey Rusty, God love you for posting this! lol I hate stretching sooooo much. I haven't been working out very long, and I haven't been stretching before I do so, so I was very pleased to see the test results you have posted here. You have a great site here - I got the link from fitconnect.com. My wife and I just joined that site recently. Also, I totally agree with what you're saying about giant grotesque muscles compared to the "hollywood look". That's what i want to accomplish and I will be checking your site often for your advice and knowledge. Thanks bro Hey Rusty,

God love you for posting this! lol I hate stretching sooooo much. I haven't been working out very long, and I haven't been stretching before I do so, so I was very pleased to see the test results you have posted here. You have a great site here – I got the link from fitconnect.com. My wife and I just joined that site recently. Also, I totally agree with what you're saying about giant grotesque muscles compared to the "hollywood look". That's what i want to accomplish and I will be checking your site often for your advice and knowledge. Thanks bro

]]> By: Kprice http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-133517 Kprice Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:54:59 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-133517 Rusty, You are so freakin' funny! I hate stretching too so I never did it. I don't run as much anymore but all through high school I ran pretty much everyday. I think warming up is good enough, like a slow jog. I did like to stretch after my workout, when my muscles were a little tense, but that's about it. Thanks for the post, it confirmed all my theories about stretching. And it was very informative and entertaining as well! Rusty,

You are so freakin' funny! I hate stretching too so I never did it. I don't run as much anymore but all through high school I ran pretty much everyday. I think warming up is good enough, like a slow jog. I did like to stretch after my workout, when my muscles were a little tense, but that's about it. Thanks for the post, it confirmed all my theories about stretching. And it was very informative and entertaining as well!

]]> By: new_me http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-127486 new_me Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:12:16 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-127486 First post here....am reading your site from the Canadian prairies.... -30C today, with wind! I run indoors! I recently added your site to my desk top right beside the very few other sites that I deem to be of high enough quality to check regularly. I stumbled into your blog when I was looking for solutions to my recent lower back injury. THANKS A WHOLE LOT FOR PUTTING THESE TRUTHS OUT HERE FOR US! No more crunches for me! Phew, I'm relieved to have sound advice to support me in that decision! My back spontaneously healed after only a week of great discomfort and after giving up any spine bending movements. Anyways, as far as stretching goes....I've always hated it because it seemed to be so pointless. I am very driven and goal oriented and I've got to be spending my time productively or else I get grumpy. However....I DO stretch AFTER I run. I find this helps to prevent stiffness. I only spend about 1 minute stretching out my hams, quads and calves a few times in the first hour after I run. It feels good. Pre-run 'stretching' is covered in the first minutes of warm-up, just going through the motions of the upcoming exertion. I've changed my running routine to your recommended HIIT combined with steady state cardio. I've got about 20 more pounds to lose and I'm going to tackle it this way. The first 50 pounds dropped by similar means, but much slower. I can tell that your way is going to work, it's intense, but there is NO WAY I'm going to mess up by eating garbage after a work-out like that! Thanks for sharing so much goodness!! First post here….am reading your site from the Canadian prairies…. -30C today, with wind! I run indoors!

I recently added your site to my desk top right beside the very few other sites that I deem to be of high enough quality to check regularly. I stumbled into your blog when I was looking for solutions to my recent lower back injury. THANKS A WHOLE LOT FOR PUTTING THESE TRUTHS OUT HERE FOR US! No more crunches for me! Phew, I'm relieved to have sound advice to support me in that decision! My back spontaneously healed after only a week of great discomfort and after giving up any spine bending movements.

Anyways, as far as stretching goes….I've always hated it because it seemed to be so pointless. I am very driven and goal oriented and I've got to be spending my time productively or else I get grumpy. However….I DO stretch AFTER I run. I find this helps to prevent stiffness. I only spend about 1 minute stretching out my hams, quads and calves a few times in the first hour after I run. It feels good. Pre-run 'stretching' is covered in the first minutes of warm-up, just going through the motions of the upcoming exertion.

I've changed my running routine to your recommended HIIT combined with steady state cardio. I've got about 20 more pounds to lose and I'm going to tackle it this way. The first 50 pounds dropped by similar means, but much slower. I can tell that your way is going to work, it's intense, but there is NO WAY I'm going to mess up by eating garbage after a work-out like that!

Thanks for sharing so much goodness!!

]]> By: Steve P http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/comment-page-1/#comment-127475 Steve P Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:16:54 +0000 http://fitnessblackbook.com/fitness-techniques/hate-to-stretch-dont-have-time-to-stretch-i-have-good-news/#comment-127475 Hi Rusty, A friend of mine has completed 2 marathons and numerous shorter races over the years. He stretches before every run, and even stops after running for five minutes to stretch AGAIN?? before continueing to run. This tiresome (and irritating if you run with him) regime has not stopped him tearing both calves so frequently he will limp for life or prevented knee injuries. Total waste of time, I just do some runners stretches from various positions for literally a couple of minutes immediately after my run and thats it. I have never torn a muscle or had an injury which has stopped my running. I always felt stretching legs before a run could weaken them, which in turn could lead to injury don;t you think..? Cheers, Steve P. Hi Rusty,

A friend of mine has completed 2 marathons and numerous shorter races over the years. He stretches before every run, and even stops after running for five minutes to stretch AGAIN?? before continueing to run. This tiresome (and irritating if you run with him) regime has not stopped him tearing both calves so frequently he will limp for life or prevented knee injuries. Total waste of time, I just do some runners stretches from various positions for literally a couple of minutes immediately after my run and thats it. I have never torn a muscle or had an injury which has stopped my running. I always felt stretching legs before a run could weaken them, which in turn could lead to injury don;t you think..? Cheers, Steve P.

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