The New Intimacy

Do you stretch before a workout?

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Contributor: spiced spiced
According to this article, stretching before a workout is not only useless — but actually impairs performance.

I used to stretch before working out, but I stopped doing it years ago, when I first learned that it wasn't effective at increasing performance or reducing injury. But I had no idea until now that it might actually be counterproductive.

How about you? Do you stretch before working out?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I stretch before I work out.
10  (26%)
I don't stretch before I work out.
24  (63%)
I don't work out.
1  (3%)
Other?
3  (8%)
Total votes: 38
Poll is closed
04/07/2013
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Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
I don't do static stretches until after my workout. I usually do a few warm up laps around the track before a work out.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I just start slow until I've warmed up - then I can go at it full speed. And no - I don't stretch after the work out either.
04/07/2013
Contributor: bog bog
Quote:
Originally posted by spiced
According to this article, stretching before a workout is not only useless — but actually impairs performance.

I used to stretch before working out, but I stopped doing it years ago, when I first learned that it wasn't effective at ... more
Thanks for posting! I've never heard that it isn't helpful; I almost always try to stretch before a workout.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Leather & Lace Leather & Lace
I don't usually.
04/07/2013
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
Well now I don't feel so bad for not doing it. I remember taking an exercise class as a kid and they would put us through strenuous stretches and warm-ups before doing anything else. Of course, by the time those were done, I was exhausted and my muscles hurt. So um it didn't do me much good.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Martiniman Martiniman
I follow the advice of several professional personal trainers who have told me its best to stretch after your workout and not before.
04/07/2013
Contributor: SourAppleMartini SourAppleMartini
I warm up before the work-out and stretch afterwards. I thought everyone does that.
04/07/2013
Contributor: lilyflower lilyflower
I never remember to stretch before working out. I usually don't have any trouble because of it.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
I will do a little bit. I'm more to do cardio then workout.
04/07/2013
Contributor: KinkyKatieJames KinkyKatieJames
Just a little. I really like to stretch my muscles after a work out; yoga is a great ending for me since I get to really relax.
04/07/2013
Contributor: woodsdragon woodsdragon
I try to always stretch before working out
04/07/2013
Contributor: Cosmonaut Cosmonaut
I stretch before working out =)
04/07/2013
Contributor: SecretKinksters SecretKinksters
Always stretch before a workout.
04/07/2013
Contributor: libbyv libbyv
Quote:
Originally posted by spiced
According to this article, stretching before a workout is not only useless — but actually impairs performance.

I used to stretch before working out, but I stopped doing it years ago, when I first learned that it wasn't effective at ... more
not generally unless doing cardio
04/07/2013
Contributor: joiedejouets joiedejouets
I always stretch, but my workouts usually only include Ballet, and yoga centered workouts.
04/07/2013
Contributor: chicmichiw chicmichiw
I always stretch before running, and of course yoga is a lot of stretching in itself! (Love love love ashtanga yoga!)
04/07/2013
Contributor: rosythorn rosythorn
I don't real , I try to loosen up a bit before hand. I have to stretch afterwards or I get hurt
04/07/2013
Contributor: married with children married with children
you need to stretch only after you have warmed up. I have this discussion with safety at work all the time. We have to stretch each morning before work. Bu then we sit around for a hour filling out paperwork before we can even start our work for the day. So it is useless.

Back when I would work out. I would go for a mile or 2 mile jog, then stretch out. Then I would do my work out.
04/07/2013
Contributor: twelve13 twelve13
I don't stretch before. I stretch a bit after sometimes. Maybe 1/10 workouts.
04/07/2013
Contributor: XxFallenAngelxX XxFallenAngelxX
I do it before when I have the time. I tend to do it after my workout.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Beautiful-Disaster Beautiful-Disaster
Sometimes I do & sometimes I don't. Mostly not though.
04/07/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I just start slow until I've warmed up - then I can go at it full speed. And no - I don't stretch after the work out either.
That's what I've been doing for the past few years. Sometimes I stretch after, but usually I just do yoga or basic stretching on "off days".
04/07/2013
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I used too long time ago. Now I just jump right in there.
04/07/2013
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
I don't stretch before, only after.
04/07/2013
Contributor: epiphanyjayne epiphanyjayne
it's all about the warm up, not stretching. stretching is best for after the work out.
04/07/2013
Contributor: jr2012 jr2012
I do a decent warmup, then my workout, then some light stretching. I try to do yoga at least one a week to get a great whole body stretch. We must read the same articles, since this is really good advice!
04/07/2013
Contributor: Sera26 Sera26
I stretch my legs before a workout because they get stiff.
04/07/2013
Contributor: LaSchwartz LaSchwartz
I don't stretch at all i need to start up again. at the end at least in high school and college track i did before and after.
04/08/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
Quote:
Originally posted by LaSchwartz
I don't stretch at all i need to start up again. at the end at least in high school and college track i did before and after.
Knowing what I know now, I can't help but feel some anger toward my high school (and little league, etc) coaches, who FORCED us to stretch extensively before every practice and game. I'm sure I would have been a SUPERSTAR if only I hadn't been forced to stretch so damn much!

Seriously, I hope the new knowledge will change A LOT of routines.
04/08/2013