How often to stretch?

[getnfit@38]

Hi Cathe and crowd, I've got what could be considered an opinion question, but I'm interested in your responses.
I always do the complete cooldowns/stretches at the end of every video, and Sunday is my active rest day when my workout is a 30min athletic stretch video, but over the past 2 weeks I'm wondering if I need more stretching?
I've been on a PS rotation the past 8 weeks, and the last 3 weeks the rotation calls for each PS video 2x/week and I'm wondering with the increased weight work if I need more stretching for my muscles?
What makes me ask is I swear I feel "kinked" (if that makes any sense at all ) There are areas such as my hamstrings, triceps, and upper back that feel like they are "kinked up", and I'm wondering if this is from a need to include longer or more frequent stretching?
Any thoughts/feedback?
Thanks, Donna

 

[Aquajock]

RE: It it kinks, stretch it!

Hi, Miss Donna, O Inspirational One!

By all means, if a muscle group is kinking, hold the stretch longer! I'm not sure how productive extended stretching would be outside of your workout session unless you've done something else to warm them up and elasticize them, but holding the stretches of the tighter groups longer is certainly warranted.

Sounds like the only areas kinking up are the posterior ones: hamstrings, tris and upper back. Maybe not only hold known stretches longer, but try to find some different stretches for these muscle groups as well.

Annette

 

[Bobbi]

Stretching-A Good Thing!

Donna, very few of us stretch enough! It's the third component of fitness and really important to prevent injury and keep us youthfully flexible! Hold a stretch thirty seconds minumum and longer is better! Stretching feels so great too, don't you think? I think we should all vow to stretch more! Working on my flexibility was (and is) my New Year's Resolution and so far I really haven't done too well with it, but I never give up once I have an idea so I think I'll do yoga today! hehe It's also very relaxing. Mmmm, I'm sold! Just have to make the time. What I really need is days that are 26 to 28 hours long so I can fit it ALL in!

You ARE an inspiration!
Bobbi

 

[getnfit@38]

RE: Stretching-A Good Thing!

Thank you both for your advice, and I will try holding my stretches longer, and I'm thinking about maybe popping in a stretch video after my weight workouts if I can find one that isn't too long. I've been reading more and more about the benefits of stretching/elongating the muscles so I know it's not wasted effort, but there is such a lack of athletic stretching tapes on the market! I'm not into yoga yet, probably because I just haven't found a yoga video that "grabs" me, but I will stop the video and just hold my stretches longer, and yes Bobbi, stretching does feel good EXCEPT after PS-SL&A, by the end of the floor work, my outer thighs are sooooooo tight, I can swear I hear my muscles cursing me out and telling me, "don't touch us, don't even THINK about leaning forward on that stretch, we are NOT having it!" So I lie there on the floor cowering and rolling around and talking trash to Cathe until the muscles relax But other than that, yes, stretching feels wonderful, and I just love it when I find a video that has a long cooldown stretch.
Thanks as always for the education
Donna

 

[Steppingup]

RE: Stretching-A Good Thing!

Donna,

Do you have Tamilee's stretching videos? One of them has 3 10 minute segments. Dynamic Stretch with Candace Copeland has 3 15 minute segments. They are both very good to add on to your "regular" workout.

Kelly http://www.sgtfuzzbubble99.homestead.com/files/Smilies/De_Niro/eeyore.gif

 

[Bobbi]

RE: Stretching-A Good Thing!

Donna, sometimes after I workout, I stretch and I sound like I am dying! Is that pleasure or pain or, heaven help us, both? I bought a yoga tape called Total Yoga at Target and I like it although some of the moves are tricky! I have the Living Arts Yoga too. They are lovely but they do tend to give more information than just the yoga move itself and that can make them difficult to stick with--for me anyway. They are serious yoga! Excellent though.
Last year, during the winter, I used to take a warm bath, put on a ocean wave tape and stretch really slowly and relaxedly by candle light! I loved it and was very flexible for awhile. Then summer hit Tucson and the idea of a warm bath became very yucky indeed! I will have to start doing that again. It was very nice!

You are right though, holding stretches is the way to go. Instructors often skimp on the stretches, which is a shame. They are like the icing on the cake!

 

[Debra]

Ditto on Kelly's post

I find it very easy to tack on one of Tamilee's 10 min segments after a workout. After a run or bike ride, I stretch my legs & then do one of the total body 10 min. segments.