Stretch to Grow!
As a muscle building expert, I am often asked when is the best time to stretch and if stretching is important.
Let's talk about timing first. I would tell you the Absolute BEST time to stretch is between sets or exercises once your warmed up a bit. Why? First off, the muscles, and connective tissue (ligaments,tendons) are less susceptible to injury at this time. The more warmed up you are, the better the elasticity of all these things and the less risk of pulling or tearing anything. Secondly, because muscles are encased in a sheath called fascia, the muscles need to be stretched in order to give them room to grow. Basically if you can expand the sheath around the muscles, you will give the muscles a little room for grow. "Yea but i'm a woman and don't want big muscles". I know, I have heard that a thousand times. Fine, but how about increased flexibility and better recovery from workouts, as well as flushing away toxins that build up in the muscles once you comeplete an intense set?
I know that got your attention.
"Okay Brian, is there anytime NOT to stretch"? Yes, I would say three times only.
First, when IF you are going to to a maximum LIFT, ANY KIND of lift ONE time. NO STRETCHING! You will maximize lift if YOU don't. Warmup, yes, but NO STRETCHING. Second, when you have so much mobility around certain bodyparts. For example shoulders, many people I know have a great deal of range of motion in all three planes in which the shoulders move in. This may increase risk of injury is someway.
Lastly, when you get injured. Especially before you are examined by a physician or physical thrapist. They may do some different types of stretching you are not trained to do, or advise you NOT to stretch is any way.
Oh I almost forgot to mention, you can also stretch at the end of the workout as a cool down and help you with recovery time. Hold your stretches 15-30 seconds and repeat two times. When you perform each stretch, make sure you find the end point, where you feel a slight pull and little discomfort, but don't go beyond that point. Make sure to breathe normally and don't hold the breath for any length of time. This is just called a static stretch and is the most basic of all stretches, but just covering the basics is good for those of you who don't understand why you should stretch.
Related Tags: stretching, flexibility, body stretches, exercise recovery, static stretching
Brian A. Gurneak is a Master Level Professional Personal Trainer and has been working with individuals and groups for over a dozen years. He is also has competed as a drug-free bodybuilder since 1994, and is a professional fitness model. He specializes in fat loss and muscle gain. For more articles/tips visit http://www.completephysique.info Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Dental Insurance For Individual Can Be Of Help At Time
Dental problem may cost one a lot of money and pain. But, practicing a reasonable care could decreas - Personal Trainer For Perfect Health
There is a general misconception that need for a fitness trainer comes for novice or from those who - Varicose Veins - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
The majority of people after thirty notice the changes that appear with the maturing. In this case t - Scenar Therapy - Self-treatment Or Healing Partnership
Do you want to learn about a device which will help you to ease your pain? If you get this kind of a - Scenar - 5 "no, Nos" Of Scenar
Are you fed up with the pain in your body? Various parts of our body seem to ache due to different r - Scenar Device - 5 Tips On Travelling With Your Scenar (skenar) Device
You might be aware of scenar which has become quite popular these days. This is actually the acronym - Scenar Therapy - How To Treat Your Pet With Scenar
There are many alternative methods of treatment that are being invented these days. Lots of people a - Your Options For The Treatment For Appendicitis
Appendicitis is considered to be a surgical illness. Due to its severe character, the treatment for - How To Choose The Right Copd Medication
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD does not have any cure. But with the help of medicines - Septic Arthritis: Infectious Agents Penetrate Joints' Spaces
Another major type of arthritis is septic arthritis, which is also known in various terms like: pyog
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Drugs - the Last Alternative for Adhd in Kids
Anyone over the age of thirty who has grown up with ADHD understands that there was not much help av - Foods To Eat To Gain Weight
Malnutrition has the same degree of problem as obesity. There are people who are too skinny, they fi - Understanding Postpartum Clothing
The same way most pregnant women dream of the day when they will begin showing for wearing maternity - Kegel Exercising for Bladder Control and Enhanced Sexual Pleasure
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, thereby improving the urethra and/or rec - The Use Of Weight Loss Herbs
Nothing has garnered more attention in today's world than the success or failures of weight loss pro - A Simple Acid Relux Cure
Many people today are afflicted with heartburn. If they eat food that is too spicy, they get heartbu - Five Effective Household Back Pain Treatments
Back pain treatment comes in lots of forms, from exercise to pain mediction. Standard and most wides - Herbal Remedies - Can They Cure What Ails You?
You've probably heard about herbal remedies before and how they can treat a variety of health proble - Natural Relief for Tinnitus - What are your Choices
Natural Relief For Tinnitus - Alternative Options Did you know that there are an estimated 50 t - Birthing Around the World
Since ancestral times, different cultures showed off different customs and beliefs around the miracl
