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Why Warm-up Should Always Precede Stretching?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2015
Question: Is to gym a warm up for stretching? First gym, train muscles then after stretching? But they say first warm up then stretching. I used to walk fast for warm up but now l gym to build muscles.
Its called stretching flexibility exercises....
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Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Always warm up before stretching.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Warming up is an integral part of stretching and should always precede stretching to prevent unnecessary muscle sprains and injuries. To improve range of motion and avoid injury, you do need to stretch, but don't ever do it when muscles are cold. Warming up increases blood flow, which increases the temperature in the muscle, which makes the collagen fibers more elastic like a rubber band. So warm up which ever the way you like it. A simple jog, a walk, a brisk walk for a couple of minutes, jumping over the toes slightly for a couple of minutes etc.

After warming up do dynamic stretches first and not static ones. Dynamic stretches are the ones where you use slow controlled movements like arm circles and hip rotations, flowing movements as in yoga, or walking or jogging exercises.

Once you are warmed up you are welcome to do whatever gym exercise or weight lifting you intend. Stretching flexibility should always follow this trend and pattern. You will never end up in trouble.

I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Why Warm-up Should Always Precede Stretching?

Brief Answer: Always warm up before stretching. Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Warming up is an integral part of stretching and should always precede stretching to prevent unnecessary muscle sprains and injuries. To improve range of motion and avoid injury, you do need to stretch, but don't ever do it when muscles are cold. Warming up increases blood flow, which increases the temperature in the muscle, which makes the collagen fibers more elastic like a rubber band. So warm up which ever the way you like it. A simple jog, a walk, a brisk walk for a couple of minutes, jumping over the toes slightly for a couple of minutes etc. After warming up do dynamic stretches first and not static ones. Dynamic stretches are the ones where you use slow controlled movements like arm circles and hip rotations, flowing movements as in yoga, or walking or jogging exercises. Once you are warmed up you are welcome to do whatever gym exercise or weight lifting you intend. Stretching flexibility should always follow this trend and pattern. You will never end up in trouble. I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan