It has come to my attention through a number of conversations I've had with people since posting "Stretching the Truth?" a couple weeks ago that some of you from the lazybutt camp are taking select bits of information and running with them. Or rather, you're running with them and not stretching afterwards. If what you got out of my first post was "I never have to stretch again!" we need to talk.
In particular, let's review the parts you didn't want to hear before ...
- You're right, you don't have to do static stretching before activity (unless you're following Mike Robertson's acute corrective strategies). But you should do dynamic flexibility drills as they improve coordination and muscle response time.
- You should stretch right after your workout because it will help you maintain your current level of flexibility -- even if it's not that impressive. (If you don't stretch then, you run the risk of letting the tight get even tighter.)
- To actually improve your flexibility, incorporate a general stretching program as part of your workout routine (yoga is an effective way to do it). There's a good reason to do so -- over time, adhering to a general stretching program appears to help prevent injury and boost athletic performance. Ya hear that? When muscle is stretched regularly, it becomes stronger and contracts more rapidly, resulting in increased force and speed.
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