Stretching??

Joseph

Barefooters
Dec 9, 2010
54
0
6
So I have been wondering about stretching. I have pretty much stopped stretching, at least the traditional static type of stretching, with no problems. After reading a thread on here recently, someone said something like they were embarrassed to admit they stopped stretching. That got me wondering what everyone thinks about it? Do you have a stretching routine? What is it? Any thoughts?

Basically, I just warm up with walking, start jogging slowly, and then after feeling good pick up the pace a bit. Then I walk a bit for a cool down. Maybe once every week or two I will use a foam roller to work on all my muscles that I can. But that's it.
 
Hi Joseph,I have always been

Hi Joseph,

I have always been a stretcher but not so much these days.

I have put a few quotes up from a book by Gordon Pirie who was a runner from the 1950's he wrote the book much later. in it he states:

11 - Static stretching exercises cause injuries!

Never step straight out from cold
and do those silly stretching exercises. Don't do static stretching at all; this is associated
with injuries. Always run easily for 10 to 15 minutes before any exercises. Then do 5
minutes of exercises, which should mainly be free movements, imitating the actions of running. These involve a fairly large range of movement, so will allow you to run more freely.

So basiclly I think the idea is to never stretch when cold, always start slowly before getting into your full pace run.

I stretch afterwards just to stop the tendons shortening and to give the muscles a squeeze.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Pirie



Neil
 
Hey Joseph!  I'm much more of

Hey Joseph! I'm much more of a muscle massager these days. I aim for sore spots. My calves and achilles get a lot of attention because I'm still growng, or at least growing as a BF runner. Alittle of the same as I cool off and then a nice hot bath or shower.
 
 You know, this whole

You know, this whole barefoot thing is making rethink a lot about what I thought I knew about running, but also about physical fitness in general. I stopped stretching a couple months ago, without any noticeable affects... But I was always taught during my athletics and such when I was younger how important stretching is, so it feels a little foreign not to stretch. Just curious about what others do or feel about it... I'll definitely stick with what is working for me - it's my new mantra

Thanks!
 
I used to do a 45 minute

I used to do a 45 minute ashtanga yoga routine, which really stretched me out. But, I got tired of doing that, so I picked about three of the yoga poses that I felt were the most helpful, to do after my run. These poses mostly stretch the hamstrings, the calves and the hips. Then, about a year ago, I stopped doing these too, and I was doing no stretching at all. Just recently, I decided to start doing them again. My reasons for stopping were that I had read that some people think they are unnecesary, and I wanted to see what would happen. Recently, I seem to have injured my foot and so I thought I would start stretching again to see if it would help. If nothing else, it feels pretty good to do the stretches/poses. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of those poses right now. I think doing the yoga poses also helps with alignment of the joints, rather than just stretching the muscles.

Using the foam roller is more like massage than stretching, to me (I use one too). And, I agree that massage is probably more beneficial than just stretching.

And warmups are very important.
 
 I've been very lax about

I've been very lax about stretching lately. I noticed one major issue. I'm less flexible, which of course happens if you don't stretch (or do significant weight training). Doesn't seem to affect much fitness wise, but I do like being flexible. Once this holiday season ends and I have more time I'll probably go back to doing yoga again.
 
I no longer stretch.  I have

I no longer stretch. I have not done this for numerous years. In most cases folks do not know their boundaries, and they end up hurting themselves during these activities. What happens is folks stretch beyond their limit. Then they deactivate muscle tissue. This causes tightness, soreness, imbalances, etc. Often if you feel something not right on one side of the body. The root of the problem is actually coming from the oppisite side of the body. What you are feeling is the healthier muscle tissue over compensating due to the deactivated tissue on the other side. So the root of the problem must be fixed not the area that feels tight, etc. Typically folks will stretch more to fix that unhappy feeling. It is a never ending cycle when often the stretching is what is making you feel that way.

With that said it can be done without hurting yourself you just have to know your muscles limits. In general when you plant a body part, and try to stretch the muscle from their. This is a really bad habit. Try to perform it without planting a body part at a fixed point.

It really is best to just focus on range of motion. Allowing your joints to stay opened up, and limber. Though everyone has a natural ROM(range of motion). You really do not need to exceed your natural ROM unless a job, or physical activity deems it required. In most cases your natural ROM should be sufficent.

Muscle activation therapist do a great job of explaining all this stuff. It very much goes against what we learn in grade school, and what main stream fitness industries promote. You even have to be careful with massage therapy. Those deep mssages can be tricky, and can also deactivate muscle tissue. If muscle issues exist massage is not always the answer nor is stretching. You would be amazed how a good MAT(muscle activation therapy) specialist could open up your eyes on this stuff. The body does not lie. You just have to know how to listen to it.

http://www.muscleactivation.com/ Those interested may want to check out this site. Enter site>about>FAQ has some good general info. Or poke around some other areas of the site.

At end of day my not stretching has had no negative effects on me. I have not gotten a massage in at least two years as well with no negative effects. My body feels very good at 35. However you need to know all the little tricks on how to care for muscle tissue, and know that many elements are interconnected to culminate how your body feels day to day.