Are You Stretching Properly?

Several studies have been done the last few years focused on the proper time to stretch.
What they’ve found is pretty amazing and completely opposite of how most of us stretch today.

The Findings

• Static stretching before exercise is counter-productive and could be potentially harmful. Think of it like extending a rubber band to its limit. When you stretch to the maximum you are more likely to pull a muscle.
• When stretching before exercise, your body may think it is being overstretched. To make up for this, your muscles contract and become short and tense.  The result is you aren't able to move as freely or as fast.
• It was discovered that static stretching before exercise has a negative impact on athletic performance regardless of the subject’s age, gender or fitness level.
• Several studies have found static stretching before playing sports makes you slower and weaker!

What should you do instead?

• Warm up with a light jog. You want to increase your heart rate and blood flow to the muscles, which also warms up the body.​
• Dynamic stretching mimics the body’s movements during physical activity with running, jumping, kicking and pumping motions, and primes muscle groups that will be used during a full workout.​
• Once you're done with your work-out, stretch to your hearts content!

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Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports