Do I really have to stretch before a workout?

Flexibility is a large aspect of fitness. That’s why both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine have studied the effectiveness of pre- and post-workout stretching.

The amount of force you can produce instantaneously is largely reduced if you perform pre-workout static stretches (the kind of stretching we’re used to). So in certain instances where you’d need instant force, like sprinting or jumping, static stretching before a workout could actually be disadvantageous.

A more modern way to warm up and reduce risk of injury is to skip for several minutes. Skipping is an extremely effective way to warm up the knees, ankles, and hips. Or you can also perform your specific activity slowly 10-15 minutes prior to starting your exercise at full speed.

Don’t ditch static stretching altogether. It can still be beneficial, especially after you’ve exercised, and at bedtime.

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