Do you stretch before or after you work out?

[Rogerthatfeddie]

Just wondering, for all of you that work out or play some sport.
What is the importance of stretching/warming up BEFORE and AFTER execise/weight training?
And do you actually do it, or just jump in?

 

I don't stretch before I work out (that actually increases the chance for injury). I do a warm up first(ie run half a mile or something), stretch, do the workout, stretch again.

 

[Grass Boi]

I do what nick does, i don't stretch before i usually run, workout , then stretch for short period of time

 

[Flyliner]

I usually do before, and a warm-down after. Interesting listening to what nick said about stretching before though

 

[Kabal]

No stretching. Just 1-2 light warm up sets

 

[Duly]

I don't stretch before I work out (that actually increases the chance for injury). I do a warm up first(ie run half a mile or something), stretch, do the workout, stretch again.

Dynamic stretches prevent injury, static streches increase injury as they warm down and remove the lactic acid from you muscles but make them stiff.
As long as its dynamic, for examples hold for 3-5 seconds and switch your good but switch multiples times throughout the warm up.
And personally I just cycle and squat and do a quick jog to get the heart rate up before I go to the gym.

 

[Ninja Turtled Like Sparc]

Yeah I also don't stretch before i work out, I just do about 100 push-ups and place squats (with no weights) Then I do light sets working my way up to heavy once I am warm. Then I do "Cool down laps, and Stretches"

 

[Roody Poo]

what's exercising?
--

Yeah I do both.. I currently can bench 150/squat 277.5/50 dips/10 pull ups /6:01 mile time

 

[Zerkerfist]

I don't usually stretch before working out, but when I am about to run or play sports I usually do a quick stretch both before & after just to loosen up a bit.

 

[x339]

I know some great stretches that make me feel really good and loose so I usually do those before a work out. When I am done I usually try to do some really minor things such as a light jog or a lesser exercise to warm-down.

 

[Ninja Turtled Like Sparc]

what's exercising?
--

Yeah I do both.. I currently can bench 150/squat 277.5/50 dips/10 pull ups /6:01 mile time

nice man, Im currently at , 255 Bench Press, 425 Squat, 220 clean and Press.

 

[Rahul]

Low impact stuff to warm up before the work out, work out, then do cardio after the work out, then stretch. Cardio while your glycogen is burnt out (after work outs) will burn the most fat.

 

[kmjt]

Warm up, stretch, workout while stretching every so often.

 

[Fendle]

I do a small warm up first, then stretch. Then I start my workout then after I stretch again then stop.

 

[sabrinarave214]

usually before workouts

 

[hugo cabret]

before, dont see point in doing after

 

I've always stretched before and after a work out, but I need to be flexible so I guess my body is used it now. I didn't know it could cause an injury though :s I've been doing martial arts since I was about 7 and I've stretched near enough every day.

 

[theGuitarist]

I always do a 5 minute stretch before only if I am going to do power-lifting or heavy weights. It's usually my legs, arms then 50 pushups and 100 reps with the powerband on each arm. If I am going to do cardio, I just stretch my legs and do 20 reps on each one which is at least 3 minutes. I always do cardio after I workout out with the machines, free, and heavy weights. After I workout I stretch out myself and put my body into resting mode and do a bit of yoga if you can call it that.
So really, it's usually a different method everytime. Depends what I am after and if whether or not I am in the mood. If I am in a hurry (like it was last night for me) I had to skip stretching and presume my workout and just work on two areas every other day. Abs I workout everyday.

 

[Brendan]

Generally for things like Soccer training, we got on a short jog around the fields and when we get back have a stretch to loosen up. After the session we have a stretch and jog to warm down. So both I guess.

 

[jookbox]

I find it is best to stretch before, and then after to help you recover