Stretching
There might not be a better feeling than stretching when getting out of the car after an hour’s ride and arching your back with your hands thrust in the air.
But what else does stretching do for you? Some people use stretching as a warm up activity. Think of salt-water taffy. Grab a piece out of the box, unwrap it and tug on both ends. Next do the same thing, but before you pull, hold a match under the center for a couple of seconds. Which way is easier to pull the taffy? Back to your muscles, you need to warm them up before you stretch. The best way to warm up is to do your preferred activity at a lower intensity.
There is also ample evidence that stretching prior to competing actually weakens your muscles! I am not a gifted athlete, so doing something that will make me even less gifted doesn’t make sense.
Some people stretch to prevent injuries. In actuality, most sports injuries happen within the normal range of motion, meaning having greater flexibility doesn’t do anything to prevent injuries!
I guess the thing to ask yourself is this: What are you doing that requires greater flexibility? Do you do splits to clean under the bed? Are all of your cupboards mounted two feet above your head? Stretching does feel good, but many of our long held beliefs about why we stretch don’t hold up under the bright light of science. So, if it feels good, do it! (just don’t expect it to make you stronger, more supple, or less prone to injury!)
Posted by a former Vertex Fitness Staff Member
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About the author
Dwayne Wimmer founded Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio in 2001, excited to bring a new concept about personal training to the people of Philadelphia’s Main Line in Pennsylvania. Driven by knowledge and results both, while a strength coach at Villanova University, he worked closely with world class athletes such as Brian Westbrook, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, on strength training and conditioning for optimal performance. Dwayne’s client base extends much further than world class athletes. Along with athletes, he works with adolescents to seniors, and he’s a highly acclaimed and sought out personal trainer who has received numerous awards, such as Best of the Main Line Personal Training Studio and Best Main Line Personal Trainer. A graduate of Missouri Western State University, Dwayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, with an emphasis in Coaching. Aside from personal training, he’s spent time as a physical education teacher, strength and conditioning coach, and a football coach, but has found his passion and home in the fitness industry, inspiring and reaching out to others. As a strong believer in continuing to learn, Dwayne has also taken classes at East Stroudsburg University toward a Masters Degree in Sports Management. He can add author to his list of accomplishments, having created a chapter in the upcoming book The Soul of Success with Jack Canfield, renowned for the Chicken Soup series. To get to the point where he is now, Dwayne has always been thankful for the support of his father, a man who always believed in his mission and saw the need for what it was that Dwayne envisioned. During his free time, Dwayne is an avid motorcyclist who enjoys viewing the amazing landscapes and finding good restaurants to enjoy that are off the beaten path. He also takes advantage of opportunities to travel and experience many other cities while attending fitness seminars and giving presentations about the industry he is so passionate about. As a way to give back to the community that has been a part of his entire life, Dwayne has created Vertex Fitness PUMPED (People United Making Progress through Education and Donations), which provides support to area non-profits through a community-wide outreach effort. At this time, they help three non-profits per year in the Philadelphia area. For more information from Dwayne, you may contact him at (610) 525-6604, dwayne@vertexfit.com