Never Static Stretch Before a Workout

In a previous post, I highlighted the benefits of static stretching but cautioned its use before your weight workout. Because static stretching places the muscle in a relaxed state, it weakens the muscle. Because of this a strength imbalance can occur between the opposing muscles. This may make you more susceptible to muscle strains, tears or pulls. Static stretching may also reduce blood flow to you muscles and decrease the ability of the central nervous system to communicate with other parts of you body which could limit the ability of your muscles to generate force. This is not what you want happening when you are doing your squats. Don't despair, you can do dynamic stretches to prepare for you muscle-building session and we will discuss those in my next post.