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I recall (vaguely) reading long ago that lifting weights shortens muscles and also reduces flexibility. Do people who lift weights or do rigorous strength train

by AnonHP 6y ago

I recall (vaguely) reading long ago that lifting weights shortens muscles and also reduces flexibility. Do people who lift weights or do rigorous strength training also complement it with yoga or other stretching exercises?

woutr_be 6y ago
As someone who's serious about lifting weights (at least 5 times a week), I can tell you that I almost have zero flexibility these days, my lack of stretching is also causing all types of pain. I sometimes have issues walking because some muscles are too tight. Doing yoga and certain stretches definitely helps, but it needs to compliment your training. I tend to do 15 minutes of stretches in the morning, and then 15-20 minutes of yoga in the evening before going to bed, that has seriously improved my life. (As in, I don't have muscle pain when doing regular activities)
- com2kid 6y ago
  My 5 day a week lifting program had upwords of 20 minutes of stretching，10 before and 10 after. I try to do 30 minutes of yoga a day on top of that. If I'm already working out, why not stretch as well?
  - woutr_be 6y ago
    I've been doing it more and more before exercise, especially when doing heavy squats and deadlifts. I also gradually increase my weights so that I'm warmed up by the time I'm doing any heavy stuff. But those 15 minutes in the morning also help me wake up, and I kinda enjoy just stretching and not thinking about anything.
com2kid 6y ago
A good routine will have stretching before and after. Higher level yoga practitioners can also be very strong. Static positions can be incredibly difficult to hold and a great way to build strength! (Yoga is not hypertrophic, but it can build good endurance)
triceratops 6y ago
That is mostly outdated and nonsense dogma. The average person living in the Western world doing a barbell strength training program incorporating squats and deadlifts will see a drastic increase in their flexibility. Most people in the Western world are unable to squat (or at least, do it for long periods or without discomfort), losing the ability as they grow out of toddlerhood.[1][2] Squatting and deadlifting also improve flexibility and strength in your upper back and shoulder muscles. Yoga is always a good idea anyway, and may help to get to the next level. And you should stretch before or after any workout, of any type. But barbell strength training alone will put you ahead of the pack. 1. https://qz.com/quartzy/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-sitting-learn-to-squat/ https://qz.com/quartzy/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-s... 2. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-do-the-asian-squat/555716/ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-d...

by AnonHP 6y ago

woutr_be 6y ago

As someone who's serious about lifting weights (at least 5 times a week), I can tell you that I almost have zero flexibility these days, my lack of stretching is also causing all types of pain. I sometimes have issues walking because some muscles are too tight. Doing yoga and certain stretches definitely helps, but it needs to compliment your training. I tend to do 15 minutes of stretches in the morning, and then 15-20 minutes of yoga in the evening before going to bed, that has seriously improved my life. (As in, I don't have muscle pain when doing regular activities)

com2kid 6y ago
My 5 day a week lifting program had upwords of 20 minutes of stretching，10 before and 10 after. I try to do 30 minutes of yoga a day on top of that. If I'm already working out, why not stretch as well?
- woutr_be 6y ago
  I've been doing it more and more before exercise, especially when doing heavy squats and deadlifts. I also gradually increase my weights so that I'm warmed up by the time I'm doing any heavy stuff. But those 15 minutes in the morning also help me wake up, and I kinda enjoy just stretching and not thinking about anything.

com2kid 6y ago

A good routine will have stretching before and after. Higher level yoga practitioners can also be very strong. Static positions can be incredibly difficult to hold and a great way to build strength! (Yoga is not hypertrophic, but it can build good endurance)

triceratops 6y ago

That is mostly outdated and nonsense dogma. The average person living in the Western world doing a barbell strength training program incorporating squats and deadlifts will see a drastic increase in their flexibility. Most people in the Western world are unable to squat (or at least, do it for long periods or without discomfort), losing the ability as they grow out of toddlerhood.[1][2] Squatting and deadlifting also improve flexibility and strength in your upper back and shoulder muscles. Yoga is always a good idea anyway, and may help to get to the next level. And you should stretch before or after any workout, of any type. But barbell strength training alone will put you ahead of the pack. 1. https://qz.com/quartzy/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-sitting-learn-to-squat/ https://qz.com/quartzy/1121077/to-solve-problems-caused-by-s... 2. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-do-the-asian-squat/555716/ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/03/can-you-d...