Stretching, it's important

Old, young, middle-aged like me, stretching should be incorporated in your life. No matter what kind of shape you're in, a commitment to stretching will help your body and your mind. I recently started training after an injury hiatus, and wasn't surprised at my loss of mobility. I was pleasantly shocked at how good I "feel" after getting through the first couple weeks. You can find any way you want to stretch with yoga, Pilates, martial arts(my choice), you just have to make it routine and get through the soreness. Good luck, and feel better.

Stretching: Focus on flexibility - Mayo Clinic

 

oryou can do tai chi with @Hanzo

 

Excellent point. Stretching and proper hydration(if possible) are hugely undervalued in my opinion. Learned quite a few tips from the link. Thanks bud

 

It's a start

 

Stretching is vital. What good is strength or speed, if you don't have any range of motion?
One thing I picked up over the years is not to bounce a stretch. That triggers a defensive reflex that tightens the ligaments for a while. One long slow stretch held for a count of six or longer works much better. Then relax & repeat.

 

For soccer and martial arts, it's warm up, dynamic stretching first then static stretching.

 

Bouncing will get you hurt. The only force stretch I agree with is when someone has been on verge of doing the splits for awhile and needs a little "help" getting all the way down. Anyone who has ever pulled a groin knows how long that takes to heal. So stretching, like any work out, in my opinion, should be controlled.

 

Most people, I've noticed, seem to start their workouts with a good stretch--when they're all nice and cold. That's the worst possible time to stretch. A good run or some hard exercise first is a much better idea. Do your stretching after your warm-up, not as your warm-up.

 

I have never heard of this. You are suggesting exercise first then stretch. I would think that would cause injury.