- Post-workout stretching is not essential; you can do it any other time of the day without guilt.
- Keeping muscles flexible improves daily movement and prevents the onset of pain and injury due to stiffness.
- Don’t overdo it and do the stretching necessary to maintain your natural flexibility.
You hear it over and over again “Do your stretching.” Sometimes you do it, sometimes you skip it because you don’t have time, desire or a billion other reasons. But what if I told you that stretching at the end of a training session isn’t that crucial? According to the American College of Sports Medicine whether you do it right after a workout or at another time of day makes little difference.
The importance of stretching in everyday life
Stretching is important regardless of whether you pair it with other physical activities. Keeping your muscles flexible allows your body to reach its full movement potential, making it easier to perform everyday tasks. Limited mobility can cause one part of your body to compensate for the stiffness or lack of mobility in another, distorting movement and, over time, leading to discomfort and pain.
It is not the solution to everything
Stretching won’t solve every issue. Sometimes the tension you feel is a signal your body is sending as it tries to protect itself in response to another issue, which can’t be fixed by stretching. That said, having a mobile and flexible body can prevent various problems that could lead to injuries from overly tight muscles.
How much and when to do it
Forget the extremes: just like it’s not good to skip it, there’s no need to overdo it either. It’s enough to do stretching to maintain your natural range of motion. Then, depending on when you choose to stretch, remember to vary the type of exercises: perform dynamic movements before a workout, and opt for static stretches if you’re doing them as a separate session. In both cases, never push to the point of pain. Ultimately, it should be a pleasant experience.