Stretching Before/After Cardio?

Question

You all have heard that stretching before a workout is good for your body so you don't tear something right? But now scientist are saying that it is better to stretch after you workout because muscles need to be warmed up before you stretch them. You're never supposed to stretch a cold muscle! That is what they say. So which one is right. Stretching before or after you workout. Or both?

Answer 1

You need to both, stretch before & after a workout.
You need to warm up your muscles so they won't be shocked & tear went you start increasing tension. Then you need to stretch them to prevent lactic acid from building up, this will decrease the soreness you feel from working out. In order for Muscles to grow they do tear a bit when working out & build up again. It would be great to treat yourself to a Hot Tub & Massage after a work out.
This also will help reduce lactic acid build up.

Answer 2

The scientists were right. Never stretch muscles when they are cold. Do about 5 minutes or so of cardio first then you can do static stretching (holding a stretch for 10-15 seconds). You can also stretch during your workout to prevent muscle cramping. Then finally, stretching when your done. Flexabilty is a key element in fitness that a lot of people ignore.

Answer 3

You're supposed to do both. But before a workout your muscles won't stretch as far. After a work out your muscles are ready for a deeper stretch. Do both, but you shouldn't stretch beyond your limberness, you should feel a slight discomfort when you are at your max stretching length, but thats all. And always remember to keep an even reach, don't bob because that it how you will pull or tear a muscle.

Answer 4

I've been a runner for years and we NEVER stretch cold muscles. Instead, do a light jog or fast walk to warm up the muscles, then a quick stretch, then a stretch at the end. ALl my coaches and workout buddies have said/done the same.

Answer 5

Both, hold the stretch for a little longer on the cool down, you should be able to stretch further since the muscles will be warmed up.

Answer 6

Warming up makes the workouts more meaningful. Preworkout stretching is for that purpose. Stetching of muscles can be done w/o warming up except when they have lost strength due to non-use over a period of time due to illness or for some other reason.

Answer 7

i'm on my climbing team, and we climb really easy stuff so our muscles get warmed up a little bit, then we do some pushups for our warm up. after our muscles are all warmed up, but not burnt out, we start stretching. after that, we start actually doing serious workout things and hard climbing routes. after our hard workout, we stretch again. i think you need to do just a little warm up (like slowly jogging, or pushups) then stretch before a major workout. then, i guess it's not entirely necessary to strech after the workout, but it feels a lot better for your muscles to relax after your hard workout. so yeah, i would say both stretching before and after workout gives you the best results.

Answer 8

I used to get injured easily in high school during track season. Many years later, after learning about how my body works and reacts to different stimulus, I found out it was the stretching exercises before my workout that was causing me to injure easily. I now jog one mile soft as my warmup. I only do stretches about 2 hours after my workout.

Answer 9

to respond to the question on your call, I usually do my stretching after the exercising consultation. while you're doing any stretching in the previous warming up, word which you will no longer be able to stretch as a great way. I.e. get used to the sensation of whilst it relatively is a robust stretch and not how a great way you always bypass. bearing directly to the factors of your thighs hurting, this is maximum possibly muscle soreness besides the undeniable fact that it ought to be IT bands being overused.

Answer 10

Do a little warm up run, then stretch, and stop every 2-3 miles to stretch if your running long distances.