Stretching questions....

[ms.mightyduck]

So, I should probably say up front that I'm one of those obsessive-types when it comes to information. I've over-researched this topic, I suspect, and now I'm confused. So I come here to people I trust to set me straight.

Some of the information I've read about stretching (perhaps I should specify that I'm looking specifically at stretching hammies/groin/hips) says that I should warm up, spend half an hour on good stretching, and call it a day.

Others say that I should warm up, stretch myself for as long as it takes to complete the stretches, and then repeat the stretches up to five times a day.

Again, I'm an all-or-nothing, over-the-top, obsessive-compulsive type who either goes all out or stays on the sofa. Not a lot of in-between with me (yoga also taught me that I'm about product, not process, if that gives you the picture).

So: should I be stretching throughout the day instead of only once? Is this overkill or smart?

I appreciate the advice before I hurt myself one way or the other!

 

[twoWDWfools]

Hey Jen,

I'm not an expert, but here's what I do. If it's a standard day (no aches/pains) then after my work out I spend about 30 min going thru my stretches. Just the one time.

If something's been bothering me or feeling tight, then I'll do one 'target' set in the morning after a 5 min TM then the second full set after my evening work out.

Not sure if this helps you but it's what I've been doing for 9 mths and works for me.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Thanks, Liz.

My hammies/groin/hips are tight every day of my life. A dance teacher friend of mine, who appears to be a direction descendant of Gumby, said that five days of stretching should completely make me bendy. Um, no.

But I don't want to overdo it, either.

See you real soon!

 

[hockeygirl]

For me, I find that if I stretch a couple of times a day, I feel much better. I am a physical education teacher, so I stretch with my classes quite a few times a day (I will even warm up with them each time) I have found that since I started doing this a few years back, I am so much more flexible than when I was only stretching once a day.

On days when I am not teaching, I will try to stretch in the morning when I wake up and then later on in the evening, so only twice a day.

This has seemed to work for me, so I stick with it!

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Thanks! I will take this to mean that stretching throughout the day is probably not hazardous and will start doing this. I'll keep you updated on whether it seems effective for me.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I would make sure though that you are thoroughly warmed up before you stretch those muscles. You want the best benefit and stretching cold muscles is not supposed to work very well. You need the stretching most importantly after your w/o and make sure to take the time, whatever it is you feel appropriate, for the muscle sets you've worked to stretch them back out. The idea being when you work on those muscles, they react by tighetning and the best time to counter that is after you've strengthend or worked them. Not everyoen is a "Gumby" yet you can definitely help yourself with stretching.

hth some.

 

[ms.mightyduck]

Thanks, Lily! I know not to stretch cold muscles, but it's a good reminder because I get impatient!

Only two more weeks!