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I'm undecided about stretching to be honest, which is one of the reasons I started this tribe. Been cycling for years, and never stretched once. Cyclists generally never do. But should we? There's often as much advice against stretching as there is for. I think about evolution - did cavemen get better at changing dinosaurs by putting their legs behind their heads? Somehow I can't see it.

On the other hand, recovery seems absolutely crucial to me. I have a fast metabolism which means I need to refuel regularly, and think quite a bit about the amount of liquids, salts, carbs & protein I take on before, during and after exercise, so I'm keen to hear others' thoughts and experiences.

I have been walking too much, as of its long way to travel even from office to home (roundtrip), gets real pain in calves after reaching home.. Started doing some stretching from few day just to get rid of that pain and its helping a lot.. :D liking it..!! 

I have been training for a while but have begun a new, more intense program. The stretches reccomended are ok but don't target all the muscles, so they're sore! I'm hoping to find out more information on how to prevent "those aching muscles"!

I'm undecided about stretching to be honest, which is one of the reasons I started this tribe. Been cycling for years, and never stretched once. Cyclists generally never do. But should we? There's often as much advice against stretching as there is for. I think about evolution - did cavemen get better at changing dinosaurs by putting their legs behind their heads? Somehow I can't see it.

On the other hand, recovery seems absolutely crucial to me. I have a fast metabolism which means I need to refuel regularly, and think quite a bit about the amount of liquids, salts, carbs & protein I take on before, during and after exercise, so I'm keen to hear others' thoughts and experiences.

I managed to pull a muscle cycling a couple of months ago, most bizzare, never done that before.  Rather hurt though.  A physio recommended some stretching excercises to bring it back to health, which I've kept up since, and find that it makes starting off easier in the morning-and means I shouldn't pull any muscles like that again!

I love stretching!! really helps after a run, I try and do the yoga for runners list, which is fairly simple.

I have always been quite active and supple but, the last couple of year's i haven't been as active as i am nomaly. It is alot more difficult as you get older and so I am eager to push myself. Hope i can get some tip's to make it a bit easyer along the way...

I love to run, and nothing feels better. Every now and again, I get this odd pain in the muscle on the inside of my calf, it feel like someone is diggin into it with their thumb. I stretch after every run, but am hoping for some tips for that particular muscle. Any suggestions?/

hi everyone,

im new here and stretching is something i do alot of but never enough to increase flexibility. always found i recover faster though when i stretch

I've always neen good with stretching before and after training. But now I need to do some more specialised stretches for injuries- mainly the sciatic nerve and hip flexor. I'm hoping I may learn a few tips

I would like to get into the habit of stretching every morning before I start my day. I am interested in learning the best stretching exercises to get me started for my day. I am a bookkeeper so I sit all day. I do see a trainer twice a week but I do still feel very stiff when i first get up.

i am just starting to run.. i am having pains going down my front legs. Is there a stretch to help that? i only hurt when i run.

I always do stretching before and after running,and that really does help me.However,yesterday i did the 20min skipping,and as i got into idea of doing it while i was going through challanges here,never even thought of stretching,just grabed my skipping rope and off i go......today, all i can say is OUCH !!! my calves are really hurting :( i know i used completely different muscles than i usually do when running,but i think it wouldn't be as bad today if i wouldn't have skipped stretching :(((

Hi, I'm new to this tribe, and would like to learn more about different types of stretching and recovery exercises.  Stretching, to me, is something I'd only do before and after running or working out, but lately, I've been having lower back pains from bending down so much (I'm a kindergarten teacher, so bending down to a child's level is something we do frequently).  I've tried massages, and even yoga, which relieved the pain temporarily, but I'm beginning to think some stretching exercise might be required.  So any advice/suggestions from y'all would help greatly! :)

Is there anyone who knows the pros and cons of cold stretching v. warm stretching?  I was recently at the gym and I always stretch before I do anything because that's what I learned to do years ago!  However, the guy working there says it's no good to stretch when you haven't even warmed up yet.  Any thoughts?

this isnt really a stretch but if your job involves a lot of bending over then core strength is also something you should look into along with stretches. a strong core helps support your back.

Is there anyone who knows the pros and cons of cold stretching v. warm stretching?  I was recently at the gym and I always stretch before I do anything because that's what I learned to do years ago!  However, the guy working there says it's no good to stretch when you haven't even warmed up yet.  Any thoughts?

I haven't been able to work this one out either. There is a fair amount of evidence out there that stretching before exercise reduces injury, but then also that stretching immediately before can reduce power during the exercise, and then yet more evidence recommending stretching the opposite muscle group before (and during) eg hamstrings before and during quads exercises, and then stretching quads afterwards.

I don't think anyone would argue that stretching afterwards is a bad thing.

Given that most professional athletes and sportspersons can be seen stretching before they try to break world records etc I guess that those who's job it is to know the answer to that question think it is a good idea to stretch- but after warming up.

Hi All, I'm definitely pro stretching pre and post exercise.  I always find that I am able to run/exercise better when I have had a decent stretch before exercising.  Am interested in the Yoga stretches for runners list (as posted by Alina G) and would like to learn some tips on targetting certain areas, particularly my lower back.

hi guys as im new to this, just quick post to say i stretch pre and post run or cycle.  If i dont it not good.  I am new to all this exercise but I am hooked.  And finding this site was a god send.  

Hi All, I'm definitely pro stretching pre and post exercise.  I always find that I am able to run/exercise better when I have had a decent stretch before exercising.  Am interested in the Yoga stretches for runners list (as posted by Alina G) and would like to learn some tips on targetting certain areas, particularly my lower back.

I found some great Yoga based stretches on you tube.  A woman called caroline jordan fitness, she also on fb.  She also has some strength training excercises as well.  hope this helps.