So I get the whole not stretching before/after runs (I don’t)
But What about having a stretching session before you go to bed to prevent/help injuries? Will this do anything?
And is swimming an exception to the rule? All the swim coaches I’ve talked to seem to agree that stretching is a good thing…
Can someone elaborate please?
n=1 experience, but I hurt my shoulder by doing yoga and fairly hard swim sets in the same day.
Nothing major, but I had to miss a few sessions as a result.
Yea, I’ve got a hurt shoulder right now, but the thing is that I was thinking more along the line of specific stretching for muscles I.e. triceps, rotator cuff, etc.
Yoga is not for me 
You may find this from usaswimming.org interesting:
jaretj
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I never do a “stretch” routine…the only time I stretch is that I touch my toes while in the shower (dont get any idead you gross bastard)…
And is swimming an exception to the rule? All the swim coaches I’ve talked to seem to agree that stretching is a good thing…
Let me be the first swim coach who tells you that stretching is usually not needed.
Read the article from usa swimming on stretching that Jaretj has linked to. Most of the typical swimmer stretches you see people doing are bad for their shoulders.
Now, think of a shoulder injury that swimmer’s get. Any one really.
That injury is almost certainly called by shoulders being too loose. The ball moves around in the socket more than it should and it causes problems.
If you have been diagnosed with something and a doctor or physical therapist has recommended some stretches for it, then do them. Otherwise, the performance gain you might get is probably not worth the risk of shoulder injury due to laxity. In my experience with adult triathletes, this is the case.
no it is from one part of the shoulder being to tight and another being too loose
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So I get the whole not stretching before/after runs (I don’t)
But What about having a stretching session before you go to bed to prevent/help injuries? Will this do anything?
And is swimming an exception to the rule? All the swim coaches I’ve talked to seem to agree that stretching is a good thing…
Can someone elaborate please?
I’ve seen reasons why to not stretch cold muscles… but why wouldn’t you stretch after a run?
Kenyans don’t stretch and they are pretty fast ;>) Really though I don’t stretch all that much, sometimes my calfs on the bike. Seems to work for me. I actually hurt myself doing yoga, so no more of that no matter how Hot the girl is who wants me to go.
Kenyans don’t stretch and they are pretty fast ;>) Really though I don’t stretch all that much, sometimes my calfs on the bike. Seems to work for me. I actually hurt myself doing yoga, so no more of that no matter how Hot the girl is who wants me to go.
Kenyans stretching http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/groundforce/story.html?id=2690664 
Amazing comment hope it was a weird joke.
I never stretched for years when running but as I get older I’m thinking it all feels a little easier if I stretch out later on.
People shouldn’t stretch or do yoga if they have no clue what they are doing. And frankly most don’t. Having done Yoga for years with no injuries, I must say that I have seen plenty of guys pop into a class, try and do too much and hurt themselves.
Stretching is no different than running. Do it wrong and you end up hurting yourself.
LoL!!! I guess I should have stated they do more “dynamic Strectching” instead of classic retro static stretching, great picture though ;>)
Kenyans don’t stretch and they are pretty fast ;>) Really though I don’t stretch all that much, sometimes my calfs on the bike. Seems to work for me. I actually hurt myself doing yoga, so no more of that no matter how Hot the girl is who wants me to go.
They don’t stretch in the traditional sense of torquing their legs and holding them in place (i.e. static stretching). However, they do implement a proper cooldown immediately after their runs which incorporates several dynamic stretches - easy jogging, bounding, lunges, and leg swings.
I’ve always gotten far more out of a relaxed sloooow swim warm-up than I have out of stretching. However, there’s something to be said for a couple of traditional swim stretches if you’re trying to look cool or intimidate on the pool deck.
Windmill arms- one going forward, other going backward
Guys only- a proper lat slap that echoes off the tile of the pool deck.
I don’t ever static stretch before workouts. Just do proper warm up. Dynamic run drills before any run intensity and I run walk for 10 mins before all other runs. Feel great. I always do a light stretch after every workout…then 1 yoga session 30 mins during the week separate from any s b r workouts… I do it to relax cool down and take my muscles through a greater range of motion. Not trying to be a gymnist…I too know people that blow themselves up stretching. Usually already overtrained and they think one more hard yoga session stretching the shit out of an already fatigued body is going to somehow help recovery
So I get the whole not stretching before/after runs (I don’t)
But What about having a stretching session before you go to bed to prevent/help injuries? Will this do anything?
And is swimming an exception to the rule? All the swim coaches I’ve talked to seem to agree that stretching is a good thing…
Can someone elaborate please?
Why would you not stretch before/after runs? As long as you are doing the proper stretch for the situation, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Dynamic stretching - Progressive, moving in a fashion that imitates the activity about to be done, increasing in amplitude from low to high. Do this before workouts.
Static stretching - The “lean and stretch” that everyone thinks of. NEVER do this beforehand, doing this on cold muscles is asking for an injury. Do this after workouts when the muscles are warm and looser.
Ballistic stretching - The “bounce” method. Highly dangerous, easy to activate the tendon stretch reflex and tear muscles. There are very limited, specific situations where this is still used.
PNF stretching - Highly advanced, rigorous stretching method. Should only be used maybe once a week under guidance of someone that knows what they are doing.
So your “stretch before bed” idea would fall into the same category as not doing static stretching before a workout, unless your workout is right before you go to bed.
I stretch, but not because I believe it gives me performance benefits in triathlon. I do martial arts, and need the flexibility for that. Also, I believe that having flexible ankles has saved me from turning my ankles many many times.
John