Stretching Tip #1 Stretch Before & After

Stretching serves a number of purposes and different types of stretching are needed for different circumstances. If you are getting ready for doing movement (strength training or a sport), then dynamic stretching - where you use progressive movement - is a better way to warm-up. If you are working on range of motion or flexibility, then doing stretching after your workout may be a smarter idea. After your workout, your body has pumped blood and oxygen into the large muscle groups, preparing you for the static stretches that will help elongate the fibers. There is a continued debate on whether stretching decreases soreness or reduces injury -- each new study indicates something different. Despite the contradictions, using the correct type of stretching will help prepare you body for movement and hopefully better performance.