Static stretches before excersize

[montage]

...I've allways been told not to do it by experienced runners/cyclists, but to do "moving" stretches before exersize.

Anybody care to expand?

 

[jimboalee]

Do Dynamic stretches.

Only do 'Ballistic' stretches if you know exactly what your doing.
ie Don't do them.

I shalln't say what I do, as I have told you not to do them.

Here's an article;
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/flexibilitytraining.html

 

[montage]

Cheers Jimboalee, this was my belief.

I was once told that you should imagine your muscles like a piece of chewing gum.
Stretch the chewing gum before you chew it and it will snap/tear...but chew the chewing gum before stretching it, and it will stretch nicely

 

[col]

For real stretching, as in the type to give yourself more flexability, you need to be very warm or you will injure yourself, unless you know what your doing, and it takes practice and control to get the most out of it without hurting or damage.

 

[ASC1951]

Before you do sudden-load exercise it is worth warming up your muscles, particularly in cold weather. I only stretch after exercise now.