The issue of stretching has been raging for years in the world of health and fitness. Do you need to stretch? If so how long? What about dynamic mobility drills? Does stretching making you weaker (yes)? There are so many facets of this debate that it can make your head spin. Both sides have excellent points, and I’m not going to be the one that says you do or do not need to stretch.
I don’t personally stretch often. I will admit, however, that when I had some serious discomfort in my back, the only thing that I could find that really helped me significantly was static hip flexor stretching. I used, and still use, other methods such as hip mobility drills, but the fact remains that tight hips were a contributing factor for me and the stretches helped. I don’t argue with results.
There are plenty of studies on the effects of stretching. However, recent research is showing that properly designed resistance training can be as good, or better, than static stretching. If you want to read more about it, you can check out this post by my friend Mike T. Nelson Weight Training Better for Flexiblity than Static Stretching? Yes! or this article on WebMD Resistance Training Improves Flexibility, Too. Both articles cite research from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Trainers have known for a while that static stretching prior to strength training actually makes you weaker. Many of us have also been saying for years that full range of motion resistance training can help improve flexibility and mobility. What’s your opinion? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
-Chris-