Is stretching an important part of a workout routine?

[Anonymous]

What are the benefits of stretching? Some say it's important, some say it's unnecesary so I'm not sure I should do it every time I excercise.

[LaBellaNena408]

Yes you should do it, especially because you're in your early 20s. Your muscles aren't as flexible as they once used to be a lot of kids that are teenagers don't stretch because their muscles are prone to injury as much as ours. Plus stretching will move the blood around your muscles and it'll help your muscles grow in the process.

[emerald77]

It prevents you from getting injuries so it is SUPER important!

[Mareep]

Depends on what you are doing. For my sport (cycling) it's important to warm up slowly, rather than hit full power right from your driveway. Otherwise, you risk injury. I don't know many cyclists who would stretch before hopping on the bike. That being said, stretching for flexibility is a great idea and would benefit most people.

[EarthToKepler]

I only stretch when I feel really thight,

Look up elliott hulse on youtube he stretches all the time

[oldanddecrepid]

Stretching is important at the beginning to reduce the potential for injury and at the end to warm down or lower the lactic acid built up from a workout. That way it is less painful the next day.

[ScruffyNerfHerder]

A few benefits:

Range of motion
Injury prevention
Postural correction
Correction of muscular imbalances

Probably more, but that's just off the top of my head.

[meatballs21]

www.mensfitness.com/.../stretch-or-die

Avoid at your own risk.

[cmale123]

yes it very important because give flexibility. look at those movie star and great fighter, they move really quick because they do stretching a lot

[HereForTheDay]

Yes, very. You also need to work areas of the body and not individual muscles. The more of this you do the better you will lfeel, look , and function

[Consultant]

Always stretch. Reduces chance for injuries and helps prevent delayed onset muscle soreness, it'll help recover a bit faster.

[Jose_22]

how would you stretch your abs?

[Consultant]

1. stomach vacuum (i. e. inhale as much air as you can and hold it in your lunges, like you're trying to puff out your chest as much as possible)
2. Lean a little back and twist/move around in different directions.

[Klaatu51]

not at all... unless u wanna become more flexible :)

[CommieDearest]

Last I checked it's a myth.

[Imgood12345]

Yes it is vital to prevent injuries