Stretching

[Akolades]

What are some good stretching routines for increasing flexibility?

What are some good stretching routines for before workouts and runs?

I figured we always discuss the workout, but noone discusses this… but everyones says its important.

I for one, don’t feel I know what to do exactly.

[elle simple]

good question... I was just thinking that my pre/post run stretching might not be adequate

I do each one for a count of 13, 2 times, dont know what each is called--sorry bout this goofball descriptions-- but its like:

- hands on wall, one leg back, stretch back of calf, leg; alternate legs
- cross legs forward bend, twice each right over left and left over right
- regular toe-touch/ forward bend... except dont just touch, stay down, pull on calves, arches for more stretch
- pull ankle back toward butt, bend bent leg back to stretch front of thigh; variation is to touch the floor w/the other hand; one coach called this exercise the "stork"
- roll ankles in both directions
- stretch arms two ways one by taking the arm across the throat and pushing on the elbow, one by putting the whole forearm behind your head and pushing down on the elbow (I dont think this helps running lol was engrained in my volleyball days)
- lastly, face wall, place toes high on wall, heel down to stretch achilles tendon

sometimes I'll put my leg on a waist-high wall and do some forwards and sideways stretching too. I feel I'm probably lacking some lunge-type stretches but I'm not sure.


I used to be really into yoga, but not so much recently. I'm going back tho, because now that I started running, I can feel the tightness in my hip joints and thighs.

[offthabooks]

^this actually looks pretty good...I do alot of those same stretches...I def feel a good stretch with the "stork" especially. If I'm using a treadmill, I usually do a lunge type stretch with my foot up on the handbar.

[IndiaBlu]

make sure to stretch ur quads very good or u'll feel sum pain after running...

I wish I was better at just explaining stretches but I'm so use to just doing and showing...sorry

[Akolades]

and this is actually the best set of exercises i saw for stretching

http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/content/Exercise/stretching_exercise.asp